3.5mm Audio Jack

The audio jacks was invented in the 19th century for the purpose of use in telephone switchboards and still used widely to transfer analog audio signals.

Now-a-days 3.5mm is the universal audio jack size to be found in Smartphones, PC and Laptops. Also, for hobbyists 3.5mm audio jack is a useful components for projects that plug into headphone jacks. There are different types of 3.5mm audio jack available with different application like TS, TRS, and TRRS, but the most common that we see in daily life is TRS and TRRS.

Types of 3.5mm Jack

1. TS Type Male Audio jack

These types of audio jacks does not support stereo sound and microphone, which means there is no left and right. You will get same sound from both the sides. Below is the pinout of TS type male audio jack.

Application: Still used on musical equipment (especially in electric guitars) and aviation radios.

2. TRS Type Male Audio jack

Here, in the name of TRS, ‘T’ stands for Tip, ‘R’ stands for Ring and ‘S’ stands for Sleeve. These types of audio jacks supports stereo sound and but doesn’t supports microphone. So, using this you can only listen music but can’t talk on calls. Below is the pinout of TRS type male audio jack.

Application: Speakers, microphone, keyboards and etc.

3. TRRS Type Male Audio jack

A TRRS type audio jack have four conductors and are most popular with smartphones and tablets. The sequence of TRRS type audio jack is Tip-Ring-Ring-Sleeve and it includes both stereo and microphone functionality. There are number of standards to be used while making these audio jacks such as OMTB and CTIA. This is the reason behind your smartphone doesn’t supports other brands of headphone. Below is the pinout of TRS type male audio jack.

 Application: Used in many branded companies headphones like Apple, Nokia, Samsung, Panasonic and etc.

3.5mm Audio Jack Pinout Configuration