Common RF Coaxial Cable Sizes and Construction Details
This reference chart provides approximate physical dimensions and shielding details for many of the most common RF coaxial cables used in amateur radio, commercial RF, wireless infrastructure, test equipment, military systems, broadcast, CATV, LTE, WiFi, and microwave applications.
Dimensions and details shown are nominal industry values and may vary slightly between manufacturers and cable series. Please do your own research and confirmation as needed.
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Cable Z RF Wire Dielectric Shield Jacket Shields Shield Type ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ RG-178 50Ω 0.012" 0.033" 0.057" 0.071" 1 Braid RG-196 50Ω 0.018" 0.037" 0.061" 0.075" 1 Braid RG-174 50Ω 0.019" 0.060" 0.078" 0.100" 1 Braid RG-316 50Ω 0.020" 0.060" 0.081" 0.102" 1 Braid RG-179 75Ω 0.012" 0.055" 0.080" 0.100" 1 Braid LMR-100 50Ω 0.018" 0.060" 0.090" 0.110" 2 Foil + braid RG-188 50Ω 0.020" 0.060" 0.088" 0.110" 1 Braid RG-58 50Ω 0.036" 0.116" 0.138" 0.195" 1 Braid RG-58C/U 50Ω 0.036" 0.116" 0.138" 0.195" 1 Braid RG-142 50Ω 0.037" 0.116" 0.156" 0.195" 2 Double braid RG-400 50Ω 0.039" 0.116" 0.156" 0.195" 2 Double braid LMR-195 50Ω 0.037" 0.116" 0.180" 0.195" 2 Foil + braid LMR-200 50Ω 0.037" 0.116" 0.180" 0.195" 2 Foil + braid HDF-200 50Ω 0.037" 0.116" 0.180" 0.195" 2 Foil + braid CFD-200 50Ω 0.037" 0.116" 0.180" 0.195" 2 Foil + braid RG-223 50Ω 0.036" 0.116" 0.178" 0.212" 2 Double braid RG-8X 50Ω 0.065" 0.142" 0.205" 0.242" 1 Braid LMR-240 50Ω 0.056" 0.150" 0.225" 0.240" 2 Foil + braid RG-59 75Ω 0.025" 0.146" 0.187" 0.242" 1 Braid RG-6 75Ω 0.040" 0.180" 0.260" 0.275" 2 Foil + braid LMR-300 50Ω 0.074" 0.190" 0.285" 0.300" 2 Foil + braid RG-11 75Ω 0.064" 0.285" 0.375" 0.405" 2 Foil + braid RG-213 50Ω 0.089" 0.285" 0.332" 0.405" 1 Braid RG-8/U 50Ω 0.089" 0.285" 0.332" 0.405" 1 Braid RG-214 50Ω 0.089" 0.285" 0.375" 0.425" 2 Double braid LMR-400 50Ω 0.108" 0.285" 0.390" 0.405" 2 Foil + braid HDF-400 50Ω 0.108" 0.285" 0.390" 0.405" 2 Foil + braid CFD-400 50Ω 0.108" 0.285" 0.390" 0.405" 2 Foil + braid Belden 9913 50Ω 0.108" 0.285" 0.390" 0.405" 1 Braid 9913F7 50Ω 0.108" 0.285" 0.390" 0.405" 1 Flexible braid LMR-500 50Ω 0.146" 0.370" 0.480" 0.500" 2 Foil + braid LMR-600 50Ω 0.186" 0.455" 0.565" 0.590" 2 Foil + braid
Common Cable Groupings and Similar Physical Sizes
- RG-174, RG-316, RG-178, and RG-188 are miniature RF cables commonly used for compact RF assemblies, GPS, wireless devices, test equipment, and SMA jumpers.
- RG-58, RG-142, RG-400, LMR-195, and LMR-200 are approximately the same physical size and often use similar connector families.
- RG-8X and LMR-240 are popular medium-size coaxial cables commonly used for amateur radio, mobile RF installations, scanners, and WiFi systems.
- RG-213, RG-8/U, LMR-400, CFD-400, HDF-400, and Belden 9913 all fall within the larger 0.405 inch feedline category.
- LMR-500 and LMR-600 are larger low-loss coaxial cables designed for long RF feedline runs, repeater systems, commercial wireless infrastructure, and base station installations. LMR series cables will exhibit PIM unless very specifically designed to be LOW PIM.
Common Connector Families
- RG-174 / RG-316 / RG-178: SMA, SMB, MCX, MMCX, miniature BNC
- RG-58 / RG-400 / RG-142 / LMR-195: BNC, TNC, SMA, Type N
- RG-8X / LMR-240: PL-259, Type N, TNC
- RG-213 / LMR-400 / 9913: PL-259, Type N, 7/16 DIN
- LMR-500 / LMR-600: Type N, 7/16 DIN
Construction Notes
- RG-142, RG-400, and RG-214 are double-shielded cables often used in military, aerospace, and high-isolation RF applications.
- LMR, CFD, and HDF cable families generally use bonded foil plus braid shield construction for improved RF shielding effectiveness and lower loss.
- RG-316, RG-142, RG-400, and RG-188 typically use PTFE/Teflon dielectric construction for high-temperature and solder-resistant applications.
- Belden 9913 uses an air-space dielectric design which differs from the foam dielectric construction used by most LMR-style cables.
W5SWL Electronics – Technical RF Cable Reference Guide