Maximum Recommended USB Cable Length for NI USB DAQ Devices

Updated Mar 4, 2026

Reported In

Hardware

  • Multifunction I/O Device
  • CompactDAQ Chassis
  • USB Cable

Issue Details

What is the maximum length of the USB cable that can be used for connecting my computer and a NI USB DAQ device?

Solution

The USB specification limits the length of USB 2.0 cable to 5 meters (16.4 ft), while USB 3.0/3.1/3.2 is limited to around 3 meters (9.8 ft)

For distances further than the specification, NI recommends using a DAQ device with an Ethernet bus connector such the cDAQ-9181/5/9 chassis.

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