If you’ve ever used a console to configure a router and wished your cable were just a bit different, you’ll want a small set of female‑female DB9 options on hand. You’ll need a short full‑handshake null‑modem, a medium straight‑through extension, and a simple 3‑wire null‑modem for quick peer links. I’ll outline specific models, lengths, and what to watch for so you can pick the right ones.
| DTECH DB9 Female-to-Female RS232 Null Modem Cable |
| Short & Reliable | Connector Type: DB9 (DE-9) female | Protocol Compatibility: RS-232 (serial) | Gender (Female-to-Female): Female-to-female | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| DTECH DB9 RS232 Female-to-Female Null Modem Cable |
| Simple Crossover | Connector Type: DB9 (DE-9) female | Protocol Compatibility: RS-232 (serial) | Gender (Female-to-Female): Female-to-female | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| RS232 DB9 Female-to-Female Gender Changer Adapter (2 Pack) |
| Compact Adapter Pack | Connector Type: DB9 (9-pin) female coupler | Protocol Compatibility: RS-232 / RS-485 compatible | Gender (Female-to-Female): Female-to-female (coupler) | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| DTECH 6ft RS232 Female-to-Female 9-Pin Serial Cable |
| Standard Workhorse | Connector Type: DB9 (DE-9) female | Protocol Compatibility: RS-232 (serial) | Gender (Female-to-Female): Female-to-female | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| PNGKNYOCN 4.5ft DB9 Female-to-Female RS232 Serial Extension |
| Durable Extension | Connector Type: DB9 (9-pin) female | Protocol Compatibility: RS-232 (serial) | Gender (Female-to-Female): Female-to-female | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
More Details on Our Top Picks
DTECH DB9 Female-to-Female RS232 Null Modem Cable
If you need a compact, reliable null-modem link for legacy RS-232 gear, the DTECH DB9 female-to-female cable is ideal – it’s a short (1.5 ft) shielded adapter with full 7-wire handshaking so you’ll get TX/RX, RTS/CTS and DTR/DSR properly cross-connected for stable serial communication. You’ll find standard DE-9 pinout wiring (2↔3, 4↔6, 7↔8) on 30 AWG conductors, aluminum foil shielding, and female DB9 connectors with screws for secure mating. Wires use standard color coding and are solderable. Use it to link laptops or PCs to barcode scanners, modems, printers, controllers, cameras, and other RS-232C devices nearby.
- Connector Type:DB9 (DE-9) female
- Protocol Compatibility:RS-232 (serial)
- Gender (Female-to-Female):Female-to-female
- Shielding:Shielded (aluminum foil)
- Wire Gauge / Pins:30 AWG internal conductors, 9-pin DE-9 wiring
- Typical Uses / Compatible Devices:Computers/laptops to RS-232 devices (scanners, modems, printers, CNC, cameras, microcontrollers, etc.)
- Additional Feature:1.5 ft short length
- Additional Feature:Full hardware handshaking
- Additional Feature:Shielded aluminum foil
DTECH DB9 RS232 Female-to-Female Null Modem Cable
Choose the DTECH DB9 RS232 female-to-female null modem cable when you need a simple, reliable 3-wire crossover to link two RS-232 devices without hardware handshaking. You’ll get a 6-foot shielded cable with DB9 female connectors and thumbscrews for a secure fit. It crosses pins 2 and 3 and ties signal ground, following standard color coding for easy tracing. The internal 30 AWG conductors are simple to solder if you need to repair or modify the cord. Compatible with RS-232C equipment, it’s ideal for connecting scanners, modems, printers, plotters, cameras, microcontrollers, and factory test gear.
- Connector Type:DB9 (DE-9) female
- Protocol Compatibility:RS-232 (serial)
- Gender (Female-to-Female):Female-to-female
- Shielding:Shielded (AL foil)
- Wire Gauge / Pins:30 AWG internal conductors, 9-pin wiring (3-wire null)
- Typical Uses / Compatible Devices:Computer to RS-232 devices (scanners, modems, printers, plotters, cameras, microcontrollers, etc.)
- Additional Feature:6 ft cable length
- Additional Feature:3-wire (no handshake)
- Additional Feature:Crosses TX/RX only
RS232 DB9 Female-to-Female Gender Changer Adapter (2 Pack)
Designed for technicians and hobbyists who need reliable serial connections, this 2-pack of DB9 female-to-female gender changers gives you a sturdy, corrosion-resistant solution for adapting and extending RS232/RS485 lines. You’ll get two DB9 female couplers with metal iron shielding shells that are nickel-plated to resist rust, and copper pins plated with 24k gold for better conductivity. They accept DB9 connectors and can bridge DB15 or DB25 setups when adapters are chained, letting you connect PLCs, touchscreens, LED displays, programmers, microcontrollers, and CNC tools. Keep a pair handy for quick docking, reversing genders, or extending serial runs.
- Connector Type:DB9 (9-pin) female coupler
- Protocol Compatibility:RS-232 / RS-485 compatible
- Gender (Female-to-Female):Female-to-female (coupler)
- Shielding:Metal shell (shielding)
- Wire Gauge / Pins:9-pin connector (gold-plated pins)
- Typical Uses / Compatible Devices:Serial connections for PLCs, touchscreens, LED displays, programmers, microcontrollers, CNC tools
- Additional Feature:Two-adapter pack
- Additional Feature:Metal nickel-plated shell
- Additional Feature:24k gold-plated pins
DTECH 6ft RS232 Female-to-Female 9-Pin Serial Cable
For reliable, pin-to-pin RS‑232 connections between legacy COM‑port devices, the DTECH 6ft female‑to‑female 9‑pin cable is a practical choice- they’re perfect when you need a straightforward, solderable 30‑AWG lead with secure screw‑fastened DE‑9 connectors and aluminum‑foil shielding for stable data transfer. You get a 6 ft black, straight-through wired cord (1→1, 2→2 … 9→9, G→G) using standard color codes. It’s RS‑232 compatible with scanners, modems, printers, plotters, cameras, barcode machines, microcontrollers and test gear. The durable connectors and shielded construction keep communications steady, and the thin conductors simplify soldering or custom wiring.
- Connector Type:DB9 (DE-9) female
- Protocol Compatibility:RS-232 (serial)
- Gender (Female-to-Female):Female-to-female
- Shielding:Shielded (aluminum foil)
- Wire Gauge / Pins:30 AWG internal conductors, 9-pin straight-through
- Typical Uses / Compatible Devices:RS-232 devices (scanners, modems, printers, plotters, cameras, barcode/embroidery machines, touchscreens, microcontrollers, test equipment)
- Additional Feature:Straight-through wiring
- Additional Feature:Black PVC jacket
- Additional Feature:6 ft / 2 m length
PNGKNYOCN 4.5ft DB9 Female-to-Female RS232 Serial Extension
If you need a reliable, straightforward way to extend RS232 connections, the PNGKNYOCN 4.5ft DB9 female-to-female cable is ideal for technicians and hobbyists who work with legacy serial gear. You’ll get a straight-through, 9-pin DB9 female-to-female extension branded YOUCHENG, roughly 140 cm long (advertised 4.5 ft). The PVC-injection housing, nickel-plated connectors, and connector thumbscrews make hookups sturdy and repeatable. Fully shielded construction reduces EMI/RFI, while a crossed send/receive design and wear-resistant build guarantee correct, durable data transfer. Use it with computers, printers, scanners, CNC machines, PDAs, set-top boxes, and other RS232 serial devices.
- Connector Type:DB9 (9-pin) female
- Protocol Compatibility:RS-232 (serial)
- Gender (Female-to-Female):Female-to-female
- Shielding:Fully shielded (prevents EMI/RFI)
- Wire Gauge / Pins:9-pin wiring (DB9), standard serial conductors
- Typical Uses / Compatible Devices:Computers and RS-232 devices (printers, scanners, CNC machine tools, PDAs, set-top boxes, etc.)
- Additional Feature:PVC injection housing
- Additional Feature:Nickel-plated connectors
- Additional Feature:4.5 ft (140 cm) length
Factors to Consider When Choosing Female-Female Serial Cables
When picking a female-female serial cable, you’ll want to check the wiring type to guarantee pinouts match your devices and whether the cable supports necessary handshaking lines. Inspect connector quality and shielding to minimize contact failures and noise interference, and confirm available lengths to suit your setup without excess slack. These factors together determine reliability and performance for your RS232 connections.
Cable Wiring Type
Decide which wiring type fits your setup: straight-through (pin-to-pin) links a DTE to a DCE, while null‑modem (crossed) wiring swaps TX/RX for DTE‑to‑DTE connections. Choose straight-through for device-to-modem links; pick null‑modem when connecting two terminals or PCs. Check how many control lines are crossed: a basic 3‑wire null‑modem swaps TX, RX and ground, while 7‑wire/full‑handshake variants also swap RTS/CTS and DTR/DSR for hardware flow control. Verify both ends use the same DE‑9/DB9 RS‑232 pin numbering so signal ground (pin 5) and any modem control lines are present and routed correctly. If you’ll solder or repair, confirm conductor count and color coding (e.g., 30 AWG multi‑conductor) to identify pins without damaging the cable.
Handshaking Support
After you’ve chosen straight‑through or null‑modem wiring and confirmed pin numbering, check whether your setup needs hardware handshaking or if software flow control will suffice. Decide between RTS/CTS and DTR/DSR hardware lines versus XON‑XOFF: hardware prevents buffer overruns at higher baud rates and during large bursts. Pick cables with at least seven conductors if you require full handshaking so RTS↔CTS and DTR↔DSR are preserved in addition to TX, RX, and ground. For 115200 bps or latency‑sensitive transfers, prioritize wiring that carries those control signals. Verify which DE‑9 pins map to RTS, CTS, DTR, and DSR on both devices so assertions align without adapters. If hardware isn’t available, software flow control can work but may raise CPU overhead and risk dropped bytes.
Connector Quality
Pay attention to connector quality, because solid shells, plated contacts, and reliable fasteners directly affect signal integrity and long‑term reliability. You should choose connectors with solid metal shells and plated contacts-gold or nickel plating resists corrosion and keeps contact resistance low across many mating cycles. Prefer robust locking screws or thumbscrews so vibration or movement won’t cause intermittent drops. Verify precise pin retention and alignment; tight fits prevent bent pins and poor continuity that lead to data errors. Look for strain relief and sturdy housings to protect solder joints and internal wires from mechanical stress during repeated use. Together, these features maintain consistent RS-232 voltage levels and reliable performance in demanding setups.
Shielding And Noise Rejection
When you’re choosing a female‑female serial cable, consider shielding and noise rejection first because they determine how well the link resists electromagnetic interference and preserves signal integrity. You’ll want cables with foil or braided shielding that create a low‑impedance path, diverting EMI from signal conductors. Full metal shields with a grounded drain or screen deliver better common‑mode suppression than unshielded or foil‑only builds, especially on longer runs. For RS‑232, guarantee shield continuity through connector shells and termination to chassis or signal ground at least one end to cut radiated emissions and susceptibility. In electrically noisy environments or near motors and switching supplies, prefer thicker shields-high braid coverage or dual‑layer foil+braid-and controlled impedance. For short runs, balance shielding effectiveness against added capacitance per foot.
Cable Length Options
Shielding and noise rejection set the stage, but cable length plays a big role in how well a female‑female serial link actually performs. For close‑proximity hookups you’ll favor short cables (under ~2 feet) to minimize attenuation, latency, and desk clutter. Medium lengths (about 4–6 feet) give placement flexibility without excess slack and suit most desktop‑to‑peripheral runs. For longer runs (>6–10 feet) be aware RS‑232 signals degrade and pick up noise; use high‑quality shielding and plan for repeaters or line drivers if you need reliable communication. Always leave a small service loop so connectors aren’t under strain-don’t pull them taut. When routing near noisy equipment, pick the shortest practical length and confirm shielding integrity to preserve signal quality.
Wire Gauge And Solderability
Although you might not notice it at first, wire gauge and solderability directly affect durability and signal integrity in female‑female serial leads. Choose thicker conductors (24–26 AWG) for longer runs-lower resistance and better mechanical strength-while reserving thin 30–32 AWG for short, infrequently flexed cables. When soldering fine-gauge wire, use a temperature‑controlled iron, minimal dwell time, and thinner solder to avoid melting insulation. Prefer clear, standard color coding and individually insulated conductors so you can identify pins quickly and reduce mis‑wiring. Use stranded conductors for flexibility, but tin carefully or apply ferrules to stop stray strands on small DB9 pads. Finally, confirm insulation material and temperature rating-high‑temp options like PTFE tolerate soldering heat and resist shrinkage or degradation.
Device Compatibility
Because different devices expect different standards and pinouts, you should confirm compatibility before buying or wiring a female‑female serial cable. Check the serial standard (RS-232 vs RS-485) because cables wired for RS-232 often won’t work with RS-485. Verify the pinout: straight‑through, null‑modem crossovers, or full handshaking wiring must match the device’s expected connections. Confirm handshaking needs-many peripherals use simple 3‑wire TX/RX/GND, while modems or industrial gear may require 7‑ or 9‑wire configurations with RTS/CTS and DTR/DSR. Make sure both endpoints accept DB9 female connectors or plan adapters/gender changers. Finally, confirm voltage and signal level tolerances so both sides use compatible RS‑232 voltages and logic conventions to avoid failures or damage.
