D-Sub Connector Cross-Reference: DB9, DB15, DB25, DB37 & High-Density Pin Map
Time:2026-11-09
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D-Sub is the connector family that refuses to retire. RS-232 serial ports, industrial PLCs, CNC machines, telecom racks and a thousand legacy instruments all still terminate in that familiar D-shaped shell — and when one of those connectors fails or a new build needs a drop-in, the first question is always “which footprint is this?” This page is the map.
The honest framing first: we don’t stamp the TE, AMP or Molex logo, and we won’t pretend to. What we build in our Shenzhen factory is a pin-for-pin, shell-for-shell compatible D-Sub that mates with the same backshells, the same mating half and the same panel cutouts — at factory-direct prices, with MOQs that don’t assume you’re a telecom giant.
Standard density: the two-row workhorses
Standard-density D-Sub uses a two-row contact layout. The shell size grows with the pin count, and each size is a fixed, non-negotiable footprint:
| Shell | Pins | Rows | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| E (DB9) | 9 | 2 | RS-232 serial, mice, test ports |
| A (DB15) | 15 | 2 | VGA video, game ports, industrial I/O |
| B (DB25) | 25 | 2 | Parallel, older SCSI, machine control |
| C (DB37) | 37 | 2 | Legacy data acquisition, telecom |
| D (DB50) | 50 | 2 | SCSI, high-density I/O |
The critical thing to know: a DB9 and a DB15 don’t just differ by pin count, they use different shell sizes entirely. You cannot force one into the other’s cutout. Always read the shell letter, not just the pin count.
High density: same shell, more pins
High-density D-Sub packs a third row into the same shell, roughly doubling the contact count — a high-density E-shell carries 15 pins where standard density carries 9. The common high-density counts are 15, 26, 44 and 62. These are the connectors behind VGA’s denser cousins and a lot of industrial data links, and they’re easy to mistake for standard density if you only glance at the shell.
What a real cross-reference must match
A D-Sub “compatible” is only genuinely drop-in if it matches all of these: shell size and pin count, the contact type (machined pin vs stamped, and male vs female), the termination (solder cup, straight or right-angle PCB, crimp), and the shell finish (nickel, tin or the less-common black-coated). We carry the full spread — standard and high density, machined contacts, all four termination styles — so the part lands on your board without a redesign.
The reason people switch to us is straightforward: a branded D-Sub from the big three carries premium pricing, lead times measured in weeks and MOQs built for volume OEMs. A factory-direct equivalent keeps the same footprint and cuts all three — which is exactly what a maintenance order or a pilot run actually needs.
Not sure which footprint your drawing shows? Send the part number or a photo and our engineers will confirm the match before you order. We’d rather verify than guess.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these genuine TE / AMP / Molex D-Sub parts?
No — they are our own factory-made equivalents, built to the same shell size, pin count and footprint as the originals they replace.
What is the difference between standard and high-density D-Sub?
Standard density uses two contact rows; high density adds a third row, roughly doubling the pin count in the same shell size.
Can you match a specific branded part number?
Usually yes. Send us the part number or a photo with the shell size, and our engineers will confirm the drop-in match.
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