RJ11 Pinout Diagram for 6P2C and 6P4C Telephone Wiring
6-pin rectangular connector
Standards: TIA/EIA-568, USOC (Universal Service Ordering Code), FCC Part 68
What is the RJ11 pinout?
The RJ11 Telephone Connector (6P4C) has 6 pins. Pin 1 is NC (reserved). Pin 2 is RING2 (data). Pin 3 is RING1 (data). Pin 4 is TIP1 (data). Plus 2 more pins.
Standards: TIA/EIA-568, USOC (Universal Service Ordering Code), FCC Part 68
Pin Assignment Table
| Pin | Signal | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NC | reserved | Not Connected (6P4C) |
| 2 | RING2 | data | Ring 2 / Line 2 - (Black) |
| 3 | RING1 | data | Ring 1 / Line 1 - (Red) |
| 4 | TIP1 | data | Tip 1 / Line 1 + (Green) |
| 5 | TIP2 | data | Tip 2 / Line 2 + (Yellow) |
| 6 | NC | reserved | Not Connected (6P4C) |
Signal Types
Common Applications
Need another printable connector reference?
Use the pinout as a working reference now, then jump to the full library or the next workflow when you need it.
Browse the full pinout library →The RJ11 connector has 6 pins: Pin 1 (NC), Pin 2 (RING2), Pin 3 (RING1), and Pin 4 (TIP1). Plus 2 more pins. Common in Residential telephone lines and Business phone systems.
RJ11 Wiring Guide: Color Codes & Configurations
RJ11 (Registered Jack 11) is the standard interface for telephone connections in residential and light commercial applications. The physical connector is a 6-position modular jack available in three variants: 6P2C (6 Position, 2 Contact) for single-line phones, 6P4C (6 Position, 4 Contact) for two-line phones, and 6P6C (6 Position, 6 Contact) for business systems requiring additional signaling. While RJ11 technically refers to the wiring standard, the term is commonly used for any 6-position modular connector used in telephone applications. Understanding the difference between RJ11 (typically 6P2C or 6P4C) and RJ12 (always 6P6C using all 6 contacts) is essential for proper installation.
Wiring Tips & Best Practices
Standard telephone color code follows the tip/ring convention from legacy telephone systems. Line 1 (primary): Green wire is Tip (+), Red wire is Ring (-), using center pins 3 and 4. Line 2 (secondary): Yellow wire is Tip (+), Black wire is Ring (-), using pins 2 and 5. For single-line installations (6P2C), only pins 3 and 4 are used. Polarity matters for equipment with caller ID, fax machines, and some digital phones - reversed polarity can cause intermittent issues or complete failure. When installing DSL service, place DSL filters on all telephone devices except the DSL modem to prevent interference between voice and data signals. For international installations, be aware that other countries may use different color codes - UK uses blue/white for Line 1, Australia uses blue/white with different pinouts. Always verify local standards before installation.
Common Issues
Reversed polarity is the most common wiring mistake, causing caller ID failures, fax transmission errors, or no dial tone on sensitive equipment. Fix by swapping the tip and ring wires (green/red for Line 1). Mixing RJ11 (6P4C) with RJ12 (6P6C) or RJ45 (8P8C) connectors causes physical damage - RJ45 plugs are too wide and will crack RJ11 jacks, while RJ11 plugs inserted into RJ45 jacks make poor contact. Line noise and static often result from corroded connections, water damage to outside wiring, or improper termination with exposed copper. DSL interference occurs when DSL filters are missing from voice devices or when filters are installed on the DSL modem itself. For multi-line installations, ensure Line 2 wires are properly connected to pins 2 and 5, not accidentally crossed with Line 1. Long cable runs (over 100 feet) may require twisted pair cable rather than flat cable to reduce crosstalk and improve voice quality.
Why Use Interactive Diagrams?
- Accuracy: Hover over pins to see exact signal names and descriptions
- Clarity: Color-coded by signal type (power, ground, data)
- Printable: Export clean diagrams for shop floor reference