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Transfer Speeds

USB defines three different transfer speeds. The transfer speed is a device property. If a device identifies itself as being Full-Speed, for example, all of its endpoints will transfer data at Full-Speed.

Low-Speed devices transfer data at 1.5 megabits per seconds. This transfer speed is typically used by keyboards, mice, game controllers and other devices with low throughput requirements.

Full-Speed devices transfer data at 12 megabits per seconds. This is the highest transfer rate supported by USB 1.1. Flash disks and audio equipment are typical Full-Speed devices.

High-Speed devices transfer data at 480 megabits per seconds, which is only available with USB 2.0. Disks, networking devices, and video equipment are examples of High-Speed devices.

The Universal Serial Bus

The Host and Hubs

Mixed Full- and High-Speed Bus Topologies