Printer port

Updated: 03/10/2024 by Computer Hope
Canon printer

A printer port is a female connector, or port, on the back of a computer that allows it to interact with a printer. These ports enable users to send documents and pictures to a printer.

Hardware printer ports

There are three primary types of hardware printer ports:

  • Parallel port - A 25-pin connector, used with IEEE-1284 printer cables, that has a Centronics port on the end that connects to the printer.
  • SCSI port - A less common type of connector, used with cables and printers that were SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) compatible.
  • USB port - USB (Universal Serial Bus) is the latest connector, used by most printers today.

Software printer ports

With a parallel printer, there are also software ports. These ports include LPT1, LPT2, LPT3, and LPT4. See our LPT (line printer terminal) definition for further information about this type of port.

Centronics, IEEE 1284, LPT, Parallel port, Printer terms, USB