WiFi Standards (IEEE 802.11)
Wi-Fi generations, speeds, and frequencies.
The IEEE 802.11 family defines wireless networking, and the Wi-Fi Alliance's generation numbers (Wi-Fi 1 through Wi-Fi 7) map each standard to a consumer-friendly name. 802.11n brought 2.4 and 5 GHz, 802.11ac added the 5 GHz-only sixth generation, 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6/6E) added the 6 GHz band, and 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) is the current flagship standard.
Keep this table handy when evaluating access points, client devices, or the Wi-Fi claims on spec sheets.
| Standard | Wi-Fi Name | Max Speed | Freq | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 802.11b | Wi-Fi 1 | 11 Mbps | 2.4 GHz | 1999 |
| 802.11a | Wi-Fi 2 | 54 Mbps | 5 GHz | 1999 |
| 802.11g | Wi-Fi 3 | 54 Mbps | 2.4 GHz | 2003 |
| 802.11n | Wi-Fi 4 | 600 Mbps | 2.4 + 5 GHz | 2009 |
| 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 5 | 6.9 Gbps | 5 GHz | 2014 |
| 802.11ax | Wi-Fi 6 / 6E | 9.6 Gbps | 2.4 + 5 + 6 GHz | 2019/2021 |
| 802.11be | Wi-Fi 7 | 46 Gbps | 2.4 + 5 + 6 GHz | 2024 |
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