HomeUSB-C to HDMI
USB-C to HDMI bandwidth
A USB-C to HDMI 2.1 adapter carries 25.92 Gbps of video: the USB-C side sends DisplayPort, and the chain is limited by USB-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode, 4 lanes). At 8-bit without compression it carries 1080p up to 406 Hz, 1440p up to 251 Hz, 3440x1440 up to 193 Hz and 4K up to 120 Hz.
Whether DSC passes through depends on the adapter, so the table gives no DSC verdict for this chain.
Highest refresh rate on USB-C to HDMI 2.1 adapter
| Resolution | 8-bit | 10-bit |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p (1920x1080) | 406 Hz | 337 Hz |
| 1440p (2560x1440) | 251 Hz | 205 Hz |
| 3440x1440 (3440x1440) | 193 Hz | 158 Hz |
| 4K (3840x2160) | 120 Hz | 97 Hz |
| 5K (5120x2880) | 69 Hz | 56 Hz |
| 8K (7680x4320) | 31 Hz | 25 Hz |
USB-C to HDMI 2.0 adapter
A USB-C to HDMI 2.0 adapter carries 14.40 Gbps of video: the USB-C side sends DisplayPort, and the chain is limited by HDMI 2.0. At 8-bit without compression it carries 1080p up to 246 Hz, 1440p up to 147 Hz, 3440x1440 up to 112 Hz and 4K up to 68 Hz.
| Resolution | 8-bit | 10-bit |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p (1920x1080) | 246 Hz | 201 Hz |
| 1440p (2560x1440) | 147 Hz | 119 Hz |
| 3440x1440 (3440x1440) | 112 Hz | 90 Hz |
| 4K (3840x2160) | 68 Hz | 55 Hz |
| 5K (5120x2880) | 39 Hz | 31 Hz |
| 8K (7680x4320) | under 24 Hz | under 24 Hz |
Popular modes on USB-C to HDMI 2.1 adapter
| Mode | 8-bit | 10-bit |
|---|---|---|
| 4K 60Hz | Pass, 12.54 Gbps | Pass, 15.68 Gbps |
| 4K 120Hz | Tight, 25.82 Gbps | Fails uncompressed (32.27 Gbps); DSC depends on the adapter |
| 4K 144Hz | Fails uncompressed (31.35 Gbps); DSC depends on the adapter | Fails uncompressed (39.19 Gbps); DSC depends on the adapter |
| 4K 160Hz | Fails uncompressed (35.10 Gbps); DSC depends on the adapter | Fails uncompressed (43.88 Gbps); DSC depends on the adapter |
| 4K 165Hz | Fails uncompressed (36.29 Gbps); DSC depends on the adapter | Fails uncompressed (45.37 Gbps); DSC depends on the adapter |
| 4K 240Hz | Fails uncompressed (54.84 Gbps); DSC depends on the adapter | Fails uncompressed (68.56 Gbps); DSC depends on the adapter |
| 1440p 144Hz | Pass, 14.08 Gbps | Pass, 17.60 Gbps |
| 1440p 165Hz | Pass, 16.30 Gbps | Pass, 20.37 Gbps |
| 1440p 240Hz | Pass, 24.62 Gbps | Fails uncompressed (30.77 Gbps); DSC depends on the adapter |
| 1440p 360Hz | Fails uncompressed (39.37 Gbps); DSC depends on the adapter | Fails uncompressed (49.21 Gbps); DSC depends on the adapter |
| 1080p 360Hz | Pass, 22.38 Gbps | Fails uncompressed (27.97 Gbps); DSC depends on the adapter |
| 8K 60Hz | Fails uncompressed (49.65 Gbps); DSC depends on the adapter | Fails uncompressed (62.06 Gbps); DSC depends on the adapter |
| 8K 120Hz | Fails uncompressed (102.20 Gbps); DSC depends on the adapter | Fails uncompressed (127.75 Gbps); DSC depends on the adapter |
Results use PC monitor timings (VESA CVT reduced blanking v2 as the headline), not the TV and console timings in CTA-861, so a TV or console may need more bandwidth than shown. RGB/4:4:4 color.
Sources
- HDMI 2.1 FRL article (Allion Labs), retrieved 27 October 2026
- New HDMI 2.1 Technology, part 1 of 2 (Black Box, 2021), retrieved 27 October 2026
- VESA publishes DisplayPort Standard Version 1.4 (1 Mar 2016), retrieved 27 October 2026
- VESA publishes DisplayPort 2.0 video standard (26 Jun 2019), retrieved 27 October 2026
- VESA rolls out early certification program for HBR3 products (4 Jan 2017), retrieved 27 October 2026
- VESA readies DisplayPort UHBR device certification and begins certification of UHBR cables, retrieved 27 October 2026
- HDMI Cable and Connector introduction (Granite River Labs, 2019), retrieved 27 October 2026
- Hardent IP portfolio supports new features of HDMI 2.1 (2018 release), retrieved 27 October 2026
- HDMI Forum releases Version 2.0 of the HDMI Specification (2013), retrieved 27 October 2026
- Premium HDMI Cable Certification Program (hdmi.org), retrieved 27 October 2026
- Ultra High Speed and Ultra96 HDMI Cables (hdmi.org), retrieved 27 October 2026
- Thunderbolt 5 Technology Brief (Intel, Sept 2023), retrieved 27 October 2026
- HDMI 2.0 spec published (The Register, 4 Sep 2013), retrieved 27 October 2026
- VESA CVT Standard, Version 2.1, retrieved 27 October 2026
- VESA CVT v2.1 Generator Version 1 (spreadsheet; sheets CVTv2.1 and CVTv1.2a), retrieved 27 October 2026
- VESA Display Stream Compression (DSC) Standard, Version 1.2b (12 Aug 2021), retrieved 27 October 2026
- VESA DSC Source Device Guidelines r1.0, retrieved 27 October 2026
Data verified 27 October 2026 against these sources. See the methodology for how disagreements are resolved.