RG Coaxial Cable Grades: From RG6 to RG214

2026/09/02

The RG (Radio Guide) coaxial cable designation system, originally developed by the U.S. military, remains the most widely recognized cable classification standard in the RF industry. From the thin RG174 used in internal device wiring to the thick RG214 used in high‑power military systems, understanding RG coaxial cable grades is essential for selecting the right cable for any application.

This article provides a comprehensive comparison of RG coaxial cable grades from RG6 to RG214, with particular attention to the RG‑11 cable commonly used in long‑distance TV and data distribution.

Understanding RG Cable Designations

RG numbers were originally assigned by the U.S. military under MIL‑C‑17. While the military system has been largely superseded by commercial standards, the RG designations remain in common use. Key parameters that distinguish RG cable grades include:

Impedance: 50 ohms (RF/telecom) or 75 ohms (video/broadband)
Center conductor size: Determines current‑carrying capacity and loss
Dielectric type: Solid polyethylene (lower cost, higher loss) vs. foam (lower loss)
Shielding type: Single, double, or triple shield
Jacket material: PVC (indoor), PE (outdoor), or specialty materials

RG Coaxial Cable Grades Comparison

表格

RG Grade	Impedance	Center Conductor	Dielectric	Attenuation at 1 GHz	Typical Application
RG6	75 ohms	1.02 mm CCS	Foam PE	8.0 dB/100m	TV antenna, CATV, broadband
RG8	50 ohms	2.17 mm bare Cu	Solid PE	12.0 dB/100m	Amateur radio, medium‑power RF
RG11	75 ohms	1.63 mm CCS	Foam PE	5.5 dB/100m	Long‑run TV, broadband distribution
RG58	50 ohms	0.81 mm tinned Cu	Solid PE	22.0 dB/100m	Test leads, short jumpers, IoT
RG59	75 ohms	0.64 mm CCS	Solid PE	12.5 dB/100m	CCTV, short video runs
RG142	50 ohms	0.94 mm Ag‑plated Cu	PTFE	15.0 dB/100m	Military, high‑temperature
RG174	50 ohms	0.48 mm CCS	Solid PE	35.0 dB/100m	Internal wiring, pigtails
RG178	50 ohms	0.30 mm Ag‑plated Cu	PTFE	45.0 dB/100m	Miniature, high‑temperature
RG213	50 ohms	2.74 mm bare Cu	Solid PE	8.0 dB/100m	Base station jumpers, high power
RG214	50 ohms	2.17 mm Ag‑plated Cu	Solid PE	12.0 dB/100m	Military, high‑power RF
RG316	50 ohms	0.51 mm Ag‑plated Cu	PTFE	30.0 dB/100m	High‑temperature, aerospace
RG393	50 ohms	1.80 mm Ag‑plated Cu	PTFE	14.0 dB/100m	Military, high‑temperature, high‑power
RG400	50 ohms	0.94 mm Ag‑plated Cu	PTFE	22.0 dB/100m	Aerospace, dual‑shielded
RG402	50 ohms	0.94 mm OFHC Cu	PTFE	16.0 dB/100m	Semi‑rigid, microwave
RG405	50 ohms	0.51 mm OFHC Cu	PTFE	30.0 dB/100m	Semi‑rigid, miniature microwave

Focus on RG11 Cable

The RG‑11 cable deserves special attention for its role in long‑distance signal distribution. With a larger center conductor (1.63 mm) and foam polyethylene dielectric, RG11 offers significantly lower attenuation than RG6:

表格

Parameter	RG6	RG11	Improvement
Attenuation at 800 MHz	6.5 dB/100m	4.3 dB/100m	34% lower
Attenuation at 1.5 GHz	9.5 dB/100m	6.5 dB/100m	32% lower
Maximum recommended length	50 meters	100 meters	100% longer
Center conductor	1.02 mm	1.63 mm	60% larger

The RG‑11 cable is the preferred choice for:

Multi‑dwelling unit (MDU) TV distribution
Campus‑wide broadband networks
Long cable runs in commercial buildings
Head‑end to distribution point connections

Selecting the Right RG Coaxial Cable Grade

By Application

表格

Application	Recommended RG Grade	Why
TV antenna (short run)	RG6	75‑ohm, low cost, adequate performance
TV antenna (long run)	RG11	Lower loss, longer reach
CCTV (short run)	RG59	75‑ohm, flexible, adequate for SD
CCTV (long run)	RG6 or RG11	Lower loss for HD cameras
Amateur radio (HF/VHF)	RG8 or RG213	50‑ohm, handles 1‑2 kW
Test equipment	RG58 or RG142	Flexible, 50‑ohm, good for lab use
Military/aerospace	RG142, RG214, RG393	PTFE dielectric, high reliability
Microwave	RG402 or RG405	Semi‑rigid, precise impedance
Internal device wiring	RG174 or RG316	Small diameter, flexible

Conclusion

RG coaxial cable grades offer a wide range of options for different applications, from the common RG6 for TV to the specialized RG214 for military systems. Understanding the differences in impedance, attenuation, and construction helps in selecting the right cable for each application.

Zhenjiang Worldpeak Communication Co., Ltd. (Worldpeak) proudly offers an extensive and diverse assortment of RG coaxial cable grades, expertly ranging from the widely-used RG6 to the advanced RG214, encompassing the highly sought-after RG-11 cable which is specifically designed for efficient long-distance distribution. Our high-quality products are meticulously sourced from reputable, certified manufacturers and rigorously tested to ensure unwavering and consistent electrical performance. We invite you to reach out to us for all your RG coaxial cable needs and requirements