Sound card color codes
Almost all sound cards use standard color codes for input/output connector jacks.
In many cards, the microphone connector will be pink, the line out or headphone will be lime green, and the stereo line in will be light blue. Additional jacks may be present on newer soundcards for rear and mid surround speakers.
There is a wildly accepted color standard for computer sound card input and output jacks, but connector colors may vary between different brands. If you think you have a nonstandard card, consult your soundcard's manual or the manufacturer's web site before making any connections.
Sound card color code:
| Color | Connector |
|---|---|
| Lime Green | Line-Out, Front Speakers, Headphones |
| Pink | Microphone |
| Light Blue | Stereo Line In |
| Orange | Subwoofer and Center out |
| Black | Rear Surround Speakers for 5.1 and 7.1 systems |
| Gray | Middle Surround Speakers for 7.1 systems |
| Gold | Midi / Game port (Joystick) |
Note: The number of jack connectors you'll find on your soundcard will depend on how many audio channels it has:
- Stereo cards with just two audio channels will have only the green (output), blue (input) and pink (microphone) jacks.
- A few sound cards with 8 (7.1) audio channels do not provide the gray (Middle Surround Speakers) connector. If your computer is equipped with this type of card and you want to use all the 8 channels you will need to connect your motherboard to a 7.1 home theater system using the SPDIF digital connector.
- Some motherboards with 4 or 6 channels don't have the black (Rear Surround) and orange (Subwoofer and Center) jacks. These cards will use the blue jack for both line in and rear surround speakers out, and the pink jack for both mic input and subwoofer/center out. Therefore, whenever you want to use any of these jacks for a different function, you will have to manually remove one jack connector and plug in another.