Why the wires in your ethernet cables are twisted

There's a good reason for that arrangement.

By Anna Washenko Oct. 24, 2026 2:30 pm EST alexkich/Shutterstock Add Engadget on Google: Google Discover

Normally, "twisted" and "cable" are two words you don't want to have in the same sentence. And it's true that if there are tangles or kinks in a wire, that can cause performance issues or possibly lead to breakages. But when it comes to the cables that bring internet into your home, there are twists on the inside that are key to delivering the best possible internet signal. Let's get into the science behind why ethernet cables are hiding twisted wires.