DE15

DE15 is a designation for a D-sub miniature connector with 15 pins, belonging to the DE shell size in the D-sub family. It is commonly known as DE-15 or HD-15, with HD-15 reflecting its high-density arrangement. The connector features three rows of five pins and is used in mating pairs with screws on the sides to secure the connection.

The DE-15 is most widely associated with analog video interfaces, notably the VGA standard used to connect computer graphics output to displays. In this usage, the pins carry red, green, and blue color signals, horizontal and vertical synchronization, and multiple ground/shield connections; exact pinout can vary by device, but the 3×5 arrangement is characteristic. The form factor is compatible with many graphics cards, monitors, and legacy video equipment.

In addition to video, the DE-15 shell appears in various legacy and specialized equipment, where signals beyond VGA may be routed through a 15-pin D-sub connector. The term HD-15 is frequently used in consumer electronics to describe the VGA connector, while DE-15 is the formal shell designation used in many technical catalogs and standards documents. As display interfaces have evolved toward digital standards (HDMI, DisplayPort), VGA via DE-15 remains common only in older systems or via adapters.

See also D-sub connectors, VGA.