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HDBaseT / HDMI Distance

Pick the transport (passive copper HDMI, HDBaseT 2.0 or 3.0), the resolution/rate and the cable category, and get the maximum typical video distance plus a cable recommendation. These are standard reference values: they vary by extender and cable quality.

Passive HDMI = a direct HDMI cable. HDBaseT = an extender over twisted pair (RJ45).

Cable category

Cat6A = full distance. Cat6 ≈ −30 %. Cat5e ≈ −40 %.

Examples
redzilla.cl — hdbaset
 
Est. max distance
Recommended cable
Bandwidth
approximate video
Distance
Cable
Typical standard values: the real distance varies with the extender (chipset), cable quality and the installation.

The same resolution per category

CableDistanceFactor

Reference table · typical distances

Resolution Passive HDMI HDBaseT 2.0 HDBaseT 3.0

HDBaseT distances shown over Cat6A.

How to read the table · assumptions

1. Passive HDMI: a direct HDMI cable, no extender. Distance drops fast as resolution rises because of copper attenuation.

2. HDBaseT 2.0 (class A) carries up to 100 m for signals up to 10.2 Gbps (1080p60, 4K30 4:4:4, 4K60 4:2:0). Above that, 4K60 4:4:4 uses compression and the usable length drops to ~40 m. It does not support 8K.

3. HDBaseT 3.0 raises the bandwidth: 4K60 4:4:4 and 8K30 reach ~100 m over Cat6A.

4. Cable category: HDBaseT distances are given over Cat6A. With Cat6 subtract ~30 % and with Cat5e subtract ~40 %.

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How it works

The tool estimates the typical maximum distance of a video signal by transport path: direct HDMI over passive copper (a single cable, no extender), HDBaseT 2.0 or HDBaseT 3.0 (extenders over twisted pair with RJ45). It matches the chosen resolution/rate (1080p60 ≈ 3 Gbps, 4K30 4:4:4 and 4K60 4:2:0 ≈ 8.9 Gbps, 4K60 4:4:4 ≈ 17.8 Gbps, 8K30 ≈ 32 Gbps) against the capacity of each path and warns when the combination is not supported, for example 8K over HDBaseT 2.0.

For HDBaseT the base distances are given over Cat6A (up to 100 m for signals up to 10.2 Gbps on 2.0; up to 100 m even for 4K60 4:4:4 and 8K30 on 3.0) and cable-category factors are applied: Cat6 subtracts about 30 % and Cat5e about 40 %. For passive HDMI the category does not apply and distance drops with resolution (about 15 m at 1080p60, about 5 m at 4K60). These are typical reference values: real reach depends on the extender chipset, cable quality and the installation.

Example: delivering 4K60 4:4:4 to a room 35 m away

  1. Passive HDMI will not make it: a direct copper cable manages around 5 m at 4K60.
  2. With HDBaseT 2.0 over Cat6A, 4K60 4:4:4 (≈17.8 Gbps) runs compressed and reaches about 40 m: just enough for the 35 m.
  3. With Cat6 the −30 % factor cuts the reach to about 28 m, not enough: for that distance run Cat6A or use HDBaseT 3.0 (100 m).

Frequently asked questions

How many meters does HDBaseT support with 4K video?
HDBaseT 2.0 over Cat6A carries 4K30 4:4:4 and 4K60 4:2:0 up to 100 m, but 4K60 4:4:4 drops to about 40 m because it exceeds the native 10.2 Gbps and requires compression. HDBaseT 3.0 carries 4K60 4:4:4 and even 8K30 up to about 100 m over Cat6A.
What happens if I use Cat5e or Cat6 instead of Cat6A?
The link usually works but with less reach: the rule of thumb is to subtract about 30 % with Cat6 and 40 % with Cat5e compared to the Cat6A distance. A 100 m link becomes roughly 70 m on Cat6 and 60 m on Cat5e. For new AV installations it pays to run Cat6A from the start.
What is the difference between HDBaseT and a long HDMI cable?
A passive HDMI cable carries the TMDS/FRL signal without regenerating it, and at 4K copper only manages about 5 m. HDBaseT re-encodes the signal in an extender and sends it over structured twisted pair, reaching 100 m and even carrying power, Ethernet and control on the same cable. For long runs with pure HDMI the alternative is active optical cables (AOC).
Why does my HDBaseT extender not reach the distance in the table?
The values are typical standard figures under ideal conditions. In practice the extender chipset (some classes have shorter reach), cable quality and certification, intermediate splices and patch panels, and electromagnetic interference near the run all matter. A certified Cat6A cable in a single uninterrupted run is the best way to approach the maximum.
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