Passive HDMI cables hold 4K for roughly 15 to 20 feet. Past that, the answer depends on three things: how far the signal travels, how many sources share the display, and whether USB or a second display has to come along. Enter your run below.
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How the calculator picks a path
| Your run | Path | Reach |
|---|---|---|
| Short, one source | Passive HDMI cable | Roughly 15 to 20 ft at 4K |
| One source to one display | KD-X444SP or KD-X444LP extender | 4K to 50 m (SP); 70 m on CAT5e/6 or 100 m on CAT6A STP (LP) |
| Two or more sources, or a mirrored second display | KD-PS42 presentation switcher | 4K to 40 m, 1080p to 70 m |
| Two or more sources or a mirrored display past the KD-PS42 reach, or USB at the far end | KD-UPS52U presentation switcher | 4K to 100 m, 1080p to 150 m in long range mode |
| 8K or 4K120 (48 Gbps) | 8K active optical HDMI | Up to 50 m |
| Beyond one cable run | AV over IP | Up to 100 m per run, through network switches |
Want the background? Read how long an HDMI cable can be, or see how the same parts wire a golf simulator bay.
Frequently asked questions
How far can HDMI go over a passive cable?
Passive HDMI cables are reliable to roughly 15 to 20 feet at 4K. Past that, use an active optical HDMI cable, an HDBaseT extender over CAT cable, or AV over IP.
How far does HDBaseT reach?
Key Digital HDBaseT products reach 40, 50, 70 or 100 meters at 4K depending on the model, and the KD-UPS52U system reaches 150 meters at 1080p in long range mode.
When do I need a presentation switcher instead of an extender?
When more than one source shares the display, or when the same picture has to appear on a second display. The KD-PS42 and KD-UPS52U switch inputs and send the selected source to mirrored HDMI and HDBaseT outputs.
Can the same cable carry USB?
Yes, on the KD-UPS52U system. The KD-X4x1WUTx wall plate, sold separately, extends USB 2.0 over the same CAT cable, and USB routing is set with one of four USB modes.
What about 8K or 4K120?
Those signals need 48 Gbps. Key Digital HDBaseT products carry up to 18 Gbps, so use an 8K active optical HDMI cable, which reaches 50 meters.