How Much Does 100 Meter of Ethernet Cable Cost?

One hundred meters is an important number in networking. It is the maximum length of a standard Ethernet connection, which makes 100-meter cables popular for long runs between buildings, across warehouses, or to distant cameras and access points. Prices, however, vary widely depending on whether you buy a pre-made cable or bulk cable and which category you choose.

Knowing those differences helps you avoid overpaying and choose cable that will actually perform at that distance. It is also a key planning detail for any Network Cabling Company Torrance, CA businesses rely on when designing long cable routes.

This guide explains typical prices for 100 meters of Ethernet cable, the difference between pre-made and bulk options, how category and construction affect performance at full length, and tips for buying the right cable.

Table of Contents

• How Much Does 100 Meter of Ethernet Cable Cost? The Short Answer
• Why 100 Meters Matters in Ethernet
• Typical Prices for 100 Meters of Ethernet Cable
• Pre-Made 100-Meter Cables vs. Bulk Cable
• Solid vs. Stranded Cable for Long Runs
• What Affects the Price of a 100-Meter Cable
• Cat5e vs. Cat6 vs. Cat6A at 100 Meters
• Power over Ethernet at 100 Meters
• Tips for Buying a 100-Meter Ethernet Cable
• Planning Long Runs and Bulk Purchases in Torrance
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does 100 Meter of Ethernet Cable Cost? The Short Answer

A pre-made 100-meter (about 328-foot) Cat6 Ethernet cable from a reputable brand typically costs about $30 to $80. Cat5e versions are usually a little less expensive, while Cat6A and outdoor-rated cables cost more.

If you buy bulk cable instead, 100 meters of solid copper Cat6 works out to roughly $50 to $100 at typical bulk prices, although many buyers purchase a full 1,000-foot (305-meter) box because the price per meter is lower.

These are approximate U.S. prices for budgeting only. Actual prices vary by brand, retailer, jacket rating, and market conditions, including changes in copper prices and import costs.

Why 100 Meters Matters in Ethernet

Standard twisted-pair Ethernet is limited to a 100-meter channel, as defined by ANSI/TIA-568 and IEEE 802.3. That total includes up to 90 meters of permanent cable and up to 10 meters of patch cords.

This means a 100-meter cable uses the entire allowable distance by itself. There is no room for additional patch cords or couplers, so any extra length or connection can push the link past its limit. For permanent installations, cabling is typically designed around a 90-meter permanent link to leave room for patch cords at each end.

Typical Prices for 100 Meters of Ethernet Cable

The table below shows approximate price ranges from reputable brands and suppliers.

Option	Approximate Price Range	Notes
Pre-made Cat5e, 100 meters (328 feet)	$25 to $60	Suitable for Gigabit connections
Pre-made Cat6, 100 meters (328 feet)	$30 to $80	Best value for most long connections
Pre-made Cat6A, 100 meters (328 feet)	$50 to $120	Supports 10 Gigabit at full length
Outdoor-rated Cat6, 100 meters	$40 to $100	UV-resistant jacket for exterior use
100 meters of bulk solid copper Cat6	About $50 to $100	Based on typical bulk per-meter prices; cut-to-length may cost more
1,000-foot (305-meter) Cat6 box	$150 to $400	Lowest cost per meter for multiple runs

Pre-Made 100-Meter Cables vs. Bulk Cable

Pre-made cables come with connectors already attached and are ready to use. They are convenient for temporary setups, events, or connecting a single distant device. However, long pre-made cables can be difficult to route through walls and conduit because the connectors are already installed.

Bulk cable is sold on reels or in boxes and terminated on-site with jacks, patch panels, or plugs. It is the standard choice for permanent installations because the cable can be pulled through walls, ceilings, and conduit before termination. Buying bulk also lowers the cost per meter, especially when purchasing a full 1,000-foot box.

For permanent runs inside buildings, bulk solid copper cable terminated on jacks and patch panels is the professional standard.

Solid vs. Stranded Cable for Long Runs

Ethernet cable uses either solid or stranded conductors, and the difference matters at 100 meters.

Solid conductors have lower signal loss and are designed for permanent runs. Stranded conductors are more flexible but have higher signal loss, which is why TIA standards limit patch cords to shorter lengths within the channel. A 100-meter cable made with stranded conductors may still work, but it is more likely to exceed standard performance limits.

Some long pre-made cables use solid conductors, while others use stranded. Check the product specifications before buying a long cable for important connections.

What Affects the Price of a 100-Meter Cable

• Category: Cat6A costs more than Cat6, and Cat6 costs more than Cat5e.
• Conductor material: Pure copper costs more than copper-clad aluminum (CCA), which does not meet TIA category standards.
• Jacket rating: Outdoor, direct-burial, riser-rated (CMR), and plenum-rated (CMP) cables cost more than standard patch cables.
• Shielding: Shielded cables cost more than unshielded (UTP) cables.
• Pre-made or bulk: Pre-made cables include connectors and assembly, while bulk cable is priced per box or reel.
• Brand and verification: UL or Intertek (ETL) verified cable from established brands usually costs more.
• Where you buy: Online retailers, electrical distributors, and retail stores often price the same cable differently.

Cat5e vs. Cat6 vs. Cat6A at 100 Meters

• Cat5e: Supports Gigabit Ethernet up to 100 meters and 2.5 Gbps under IEEE 802.3bz.
• Cat6: Supports Gigabit Ethernet up to 100 meters and 5 Gbps under IEEE 802.3bz, but supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet only up to about 55 meters.
• Cat6A: Supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet across the full 100 meters and handles higher-power PoE better.

If you need 10 Gigabit performance at 100 meters, Cat6A is the right choice. For standard Gigabit connections, Cat6 offers the best value.

Power over Ethernet at 100 Meters

PoE standards are designed to work over the full 100-meter channel. Some power is lost as heat along the cable, which is already accounted for in the standards. For example, IEEE 802.3at (PoE+) provides up to 30 watts at the switch and about 25.5 watts at the device, while IEEE 802.3bt Type 4 provides up to 90 watts at the switch and about 71.3 watts at the device.

At long distances, cable quality matters even more. Copper-clad aluminum has higher resistance, which increases power loss and heat, making it a poor choice for PoE devices such as cameras and access points.

Tips for Buying a 100-Meter Ethernet Cable

• Measure the route carefully, including vertical runs and corners, before buying.
• Choose Cat6 for Gigabit connections and Cat6A for 10 Gigabit or high-power PoE.
• Confirm the cable uses pure copper, not copper-clad aluminum.
• Check whether the cable uses solid or stranded conductors.
• Use outdoor-rated or direct-burial cable for exterior runs.
• Avoid adding couplers or extra patch cords that push the connection past 100 meters.
• For distances beyond 100 meters, use a network switch or fiber optic cable.

Planning Long Runs and Bulk Purchases in Torrance

Torrance includes many properties where long cable runs are common, such as warehouses and manufacturing facilities near Torrance Municipal Airport, large office buildings along Hawthorne Boulevard, and retail centers around Del Amo Fashion Center. In these buildings, a single 100-meter cable is rarely the most efficient solution. Instead, installers usually buy bulk cable for multiple runs, which is why many property owners also ask, How much does 300 meter of Cat6 cable cost? Buying a full box and planning each run within the 100-meter limit, with secondary network closets or fiber for longer distances, usually offers better performance and value. A local cabling contractor can measure routes, recommend the right cable type, and certify every link after installation.

Conclusion

A pre-made 100-meter Cat6 Ethernet cable typically costs about $30 to $80, while 100 meters of bulk solid copper Cat6 costs roughly $50 to $100 at typical bulk prices. Cat5e is slightly less expensive, and Cat6A, outdoor-rated, and plenum-rated cables cost more. Because 100 meters is the maximum Ethernet length, it is important to choose quality solid copper cable, avoid extra patch cords or couplers, and use Cat6A where 10 Gigabit speeds are needed. If your connection is shorter, you may not need a full 100-meter cable, which is why another common question is, How much does a 60 meter Cat6 cable cost?