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This page provides the physical out-line and Mechanical Dimensions for all the different styles of Subminiature D connectors.
The term commonly used for this style is D-Sub connectors, or just Dsub.

D-Subminiature Out-line

The graphic above gives the mechanical dimensions for a D-Subminiature connector. D-Sub Connector manufacturers
Use the table below to obtain the absolute shell dimensions based on the size and number of pins used with the connector.

Shell size 1 is used with the 9 pin D and the high density [3-row] 15 pin D connectors.
Shell size 2 is used with the standard density [2-row] 15 pin D and the 26 pin D connectors.
Shell size 3 is used with the 25 pin D and the 44 pin D connectors.
Shell size 4 is used with the 37 pin D and the 62 pin D connectors.
Shell size 5 is used with the 50 pin D and the 78 pin D connectors.
Shell size 6 is used with the 104 pin D connector.

Physical Connector Dimensions by Shell Size

Shell size: DA, DB, DC, DD, and DE. {see below}
Standard (size 20 contacts): 9, 15, 25, 37, and 50 pins (IAW DIN 41 652,MIL-C-24308,IEC807). Also available as dual (mixed) stacked.
High Density 'HD' (size 22 contacts):15, 26, 44, 62, 78, and 104 pins
Power 3W3, 3WK3, 5W5, 8W8; 3, 5, 8 single row High Power Contacts

Note the amount of space a Dsub takes up on a printed circuit board depends on its placement.
A right angle connector will require a footprint determined by the number of pins in the connector.
With each row of pins requiring more board space.

How to count the pins of a Dsub;
D-Sub Connector Insert Arrangements

D-Sub Connector types: all shell sizes

Board Mount D-Sub Connectors: ...Right Angle D-Sub Connector ......Through-Hole D-Sub Connector ......Surface Mount D-Sub Connector SMT ......Dual Port Two connectors stacked together

Stacked Dsub

...Straight D-Sub Connector: Solder
......Press-fit D-Sub Connector: Solderless [Compliant Pin definition]
......Wire Wrap D-Sub Connector: Solder-less [Wire Wrap definition]
Cable D-Sub Connectors:
...IDC D-Sub Connector; Discrete Wire
...IDC D-Sub Connector; Flat Ribbon Cable [Insulation Displacement D-Sub Connector Dimensions]
...Crimp Snap-in D-Sub Connector; Discrete Wire
...Solder Cup D-Sub Connector; Discrete Wire

D-Sub connector common usage in personal computers;
9-pin DE D-Sub connectors are used as an RS232 Serial port
15-pin DA D-Sub connectors are used as an SVGA Video port
25-pin DB D-Sub connectors are used as a parallel / printer port
Note that most people just use the term 'DB'; DB9, DB15, DB25.
Many new PCs no longer use Dsub connectors,
The serial and parallel port connectors have been replaced by USB connectors.
The older SVGA ports replaced by DVI, or DisplayPort interfaces.

D-Sub Connector Terms:
HD: High Density [normally more than two rows of contacts]
Filtered: [Pin-Filtered] Suppress electro-magnetic interference (EMI) or radio frequency (RFI)
High Density, HD: Pack 3 rows of pins into the next smaller 2-row shell size, 15-pins into a 9 pin shell size
IDC: Insulation Displacement Connection [MIL-DTL-24308/27]
IEC: (International Electrotechnical Commission) ~ an International Standards Body
MIL: Military, as in Department of Defense Standard 'DOD'
MIL-C-24308: Connectors, Electrical, Rectangular, Miniature, Polarized Shell, Rack and Reel, Shield, Straight, Deep
MIL-DTL-24308; A sub-standard of MIL-C-24308. DTL stands for Detail Specification Sheet
RoHS: Restriction of Hazardous Substances
SMD: Surface Mount Device [any non-through-hole component]
SMT: Surface Mount Technology
THR: Thru Hole Reflow, 'Pin in Paste'

D-Subminiature connectors are listed on the following pages;
Commercial D-Sub Connector manufacturers page.
Military D-Sub Connector manufacturers, Mil-C-24308, listing companies that manufacturer Dsub connectors [to military specifications].
Related page; Military Connector Specifications

Editor note; I think MIL-C-24308 has been withdrawn and replaced by MIL-DTL-24308.
In any case this is an out-dated style of connector. They are still widely used, but Db connectors are on the decline.

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