Audio Jack Pinout

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A complete reference for audio jack pinout diagrams covering TRS and TRRS configurations, CTIA and OMTP standards, stereo and mono wiring, and connector identification for headphones, microphones, and audio equipment.

An audio jack (also called a phone connector or phone plug) is a cylindrical electrical connector originally designed for telephone switchboards in the late 19th century. The standard 3.5 mm (⅛ inch) jack is the most prevalent audio connector for consumer electronics. Understanding its pinout is essential for correct wiring, cable repair, and adapter design.

The TRS connector (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) has three conductors. The tip carries the left audio channel; the ring carries the right audio channel; and the sleeve is the common ground return for both channels. This arrangement makes TRS the standard for stereo audio output (headphones). When only two conductors are present (TS, Tip-Sleeve), the connector carries a mono audio signal, with tip as signal and sleeve as ground.

The TRRS connector (Tip-Ring-Ring-Sleeve) adds a fourth conductor by inserting a second ring segment. This fourth connection adds microphone or remote control functionality, making TRRS the standard connector for headsets (headphones plus microphone) used with smartphones. The assignment of the fourth conductor (microphone) and the common ground to the inner ring and sleeve segments is where two competing standards diverge.

Under the CTIA standard (also called AHAJ, adopted by Apple and the majority of Android smartphone manufacturers since approximately 2013): Tip = left audio; Ring 1 (nearest tip) = right audio; Ring 2 (middle) = common ground; Sleeve = microphone.

Under the OMTP standard (used in older Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and some Samsung devices): Tip = left audio; Ring 1 = right audio; Ring 2 = microphone; Sleeve = common ground.

The practical difference between CTIA and OMTP is that the microphone and ground connections on Ring 2 and Sleeve are swapped. Plugging a CTIA headset into an OMTP device (or vice versa) typically results in quiet or absent microphone pickup and possible audio channel degradation, because the microphone is connected to ground and ground is floating at the microphone bias point. Many modern devices and adapters include automatic detection or a physical CTIA/OMTP switch.

For balanced audio in professional equipment, a 6.35 mm (¼ inch) TRS connector is used: tip = positive signal (+), ring = negative signal (–), sleeve = ground. This differs from the consumer TRS stereo use.

How to wire audio jack pinout

Identify the connector type Count the segments on the jack plug. A TS plug has one insulating ring (two conductors). A TRS plug has two insulating rings (three conductors). A TRRS plug has three insulating rings (four conductors). The sleeve is the longest outermost segment. Count from the tip inward.
Determine the wiring standard For consumer stereo TRS: Tip = left, Ring = right, Sleeve = ground. For TRRS headsets: confirm CTIA or OMTP by device compatibility. For professional balanced TRS: Tip = hot (+), Ring = cold (–), Sleeve = shield/ground.
Prepare the cable Strip the outer cable jacket to expose individual conductors. For a typical stereo headphone cable: left channel wire (usually white or left-marked), right channel wire (usually red), and bare or tinned common ground. Tin the conductor ends with solder if they are bare copper strands.
Thread cable through the connector housing Before soldering, thread the cable through the connector's strain relief boot and housing barrel if applicable. It is impossible to add the housing after soldering the connections.
Solder conductors to correct terminals For a TRS plug: solder the left conductor to the tip terminal, right conductor to the ring terminal, and ground conductor(s) to the sleeve terminal. Keep solder joints small and clean—excessive solder can bridge adjacent segments. For TRRS, follow the CTIA or OMTP assignment for the specific application.
Inspect solder joints and test for shorts With solder cooled, use a multimeter on continuity or resistance range to verify each conductor connects only to its intended terminal. Check that there are no solder bridges between tip, ring(s), and sleeve. Any bridge between segments will cause audio channel crosstalk or loss of microphone function.
Assemble and strain-relieve Slide the connector housing over the plug body and secure. Ensure the strain relief grips the outer cable jacket firmly, not the individual conductors, to prevent mechanical stress on the solder joints during use.

Specifications

TRS pinout (stereo consumer audio)	Tip = Left; Ring = Right; Sleeve = Ground
TRRS pinout (CTIA / AHAJ standard)	Tip = Left; Ring 1 = Right; Ring 2 = Ground; Sleeve = Microphone
TRRS pinout (OMTP standard)	Tip = Left; Ring 1 = Right; Ring 2 = Microphone; Sleeve = Ground
TRS pinout (balanced professional mono, 6.35 mm)	Tip = Hot (+); Ring = Cold (–); Sleeve = Ground/Shield
Standard connector diameter (consumer)	3.5 mm (⅛ inch)
Standard connector diameter (professional)	6.35 mm (¼ inch)
Typical microphone bias voltage on TRRS mic conductor	Approximately 1–2 V DC (device-dependent)

Safety warnings

Do not use audio jack connections for voltages exceeding the connector's rated specifications. Standard 3.5 mm audio jacks are rated for low-voltage audio signals only. Using audio connectors for mains or high-voltage circuits is extremely dangerous.
When modifying or repairing headsets containing inline remote controls or microphone circuits, be aware that some devices supply a small bias voltage (typically 1–2 V DC) on the microphone conductor to power microphone capsule circuitry. This voltage is safe but should be noted when measuring with a multimeter.
Ensure the strain relief on any repaired audio cable grips the outer cable jacket firmly. A failed strain relief allows conductor movement at the solder joints, causing intermittent faults and eventual conductor fracture.

Tools needed

Soldering iron (temperature-controlled, fine tip)
Solder (rosin-core, appropriate for electronics)
Digital multimeter (continuity and resistance functions)
Wire strippers and precision cutters
Third-hand or PCB clamp for holding connector during soldering
Heat shrink tubing (for insulating individual conductors)
Magnifying glass or loupe (for inspecting fine solder joints)

Common mistakes

Confusing CTIA and OMTP standard when building or adapting TRRS headset cables, resulting in absent microphone function or signal on the incorrect segment.
Creating solder bridges between the tip and adjacent ring due to excessive solder, which shorts left and right audio channels together and causes mono output from a stereo source.
Forgetting to thread the cable through the connector housing and strain relief boot before soldering—requiring the entire joint to be desoldered to fit the housing.
Using non-shielded cable for audio connections in environments with RF or electromagnetic interference, resulting in audible hum or noise pickup from nearby electronics.
Applying excessive heat to the connector contacts during soldering, melting the internal plastic insulation that separates the segments, and causing internal short circuits.

Troubleshooting

Only mono audio despite stereo source (one channel sounds like both or only one side): Cause: A solder bridge exists between the tip and ring contacts, shorting left and right channels. Alternatively, the ring conductor is unsoldered or broken, and the ring contact is floating, causing one channel to be absent or weak. Fix: Use a multimeter to check resistance between tip and ring—should be very high (open circuit) with no cable connected and no source. Any low resistance indicates a bridge. Inspect under magnification, remove the bridge with solder wick, and re-test.
Microphone does not work on TRRS headset: Cause: CTIA/OMTP mismatch between headset and device; microphone conductor soldered to ground segment or vice versa; open circuit on the microphone conductor. Fix: Verify device standard (CTIA or OMTP). Check headset wiring matches the device standard. If mismatch, use a CTIA/OMTP adapter. If correctly wired, measure resistance from the microphone conductor to the plug's microphone segment—open circuit indicates a broken wire.
Intermittent audio cutting in and out: Cause: Mechanical stress on a poorly strain-relieved solder joint is causing an intermittent open circuit, typically at the sleeve (ground) conductor—the most common failure point due to ground carrying the highest mechanical stress. Fix: Inspect the cable at the plug where it exits the strain relief. Flex the cable at this point while monitoring audio—if audio cuts in and out, the break is at this junction. Re-solder and ensure strain relief grips the cable jacket, not individual conductors.

Frequently asked questions

What is the pinout of a standard 3.5 mm TRS audio jack?

On a standard 3.5 mm TRS (stereo) audio jack: Tip = left audio channel; Ring = right audio channel; Sleeve = common ground. This is universal for stereo headphone output. For a mono TS connector, Tip = mono signal; Sleeve = ground.

What is the difference between CTIA and OMTP TRRS pinout?

Both use Tip = left, Ring 1 = right. CTIA (used by Apple and most modern Android devices): Ring 2 = ground, Sleeve = microphone. OMTP (older Nokia, Sony Ericsson): Ring 2 = microphone, Sleeve = ground. The microphone and ground are swapped on the two inner ring and sleeve segments. Using a CTIA headset on an OMTP device causes microphone and ground to be misconnected.

How do I identify whether my device uses CTIA or OMTP?

Test with a known CTIA headset. If microphone works correctly, the device is CTIA. If microphone is absent or quiet, the device is OMTP. Alternatively, use a TRRS adapter that switches between CTIA and OMTP. Modern smartphones (post-2013) are predominantly CTIA. Older Nokia and early Samsung devices are typically OMTP.

What is a balanced TRS jack used for in professional audio?

In professional audio equipment, a 6.35 mm TRS jack carries a balanced mono signal: Tip = positive signal (+), Ring = negative signal (–), Sleeve = ground. Balanced wiring rejects common-mode noise picked up in long cable runs by using differential signalling—the receiving device amplifies only the difference between the tip and ring signals. This is different from the consumer stereo TRS use.

What does a TS connector carry compared to TRS?

A TS (Tip-Sleeve) connector carries a single unbalanced mono signal: Tip = signal, Sleeve = ground. It is used for electric guitar and instrument cables, unbalanced effects loops, and mono audio applications. Plugging a TS mono cable into a TRS stereo socket connects the ring (right channel) to ground, which is usually harmless but silences the right channel.