Wi-Fi Standards

Wi-Fi standards, established by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), set the ground rules for how our devices talk to each other using Wi-Fi technology. These standards provide a roadmap for companies worldwide, helping them build devices that work together. As technology advances, newer standards are introduced with improved data rates, reliability, and increased efficiency. Wi-Fi standards typically maintain backward compatibility to ensure that newer devices can communicate with older ones, and vice versa. 

The IEEE establishes the technical specifications and numerical designations (e.g., 802.11ac) for Wi-Fi standards. The Wi-Fi Alliance then contributes by simplifying and enhancing user understanding through consumer-friendly generational names (e.g., Wi-Fi 5,6,7) to denote different iterations of the technology.

Table of Various Wi-Fi Standards

 Click here to see all 802.11 Standards.