Centronics 36-pin Pinout
Classic 36-pin parallel-port printer connector (IEEE 1284 Type B).
Overview
The Centronics 36-pin connector is the printer-side parallel interface (IEEE 1284 Type B) that pairs with a 25-pin D-sub on the PC. It is a TTL signal connector, not a power connector: 8 data lines plus handshake/status signals and dedicated grounds.
Pins 2-9 are the 8-bit data bus, with /STROBE, /ACK, BUSY, PE, SELECT and others for handshaking. Pins 19-30 are signal grounds; only a small +5 V pull-up exists - no power-delivery role.
Pinout
| Pin | Name | Function | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | /STROBE | DATA | Data strobe (active low) |
| 2 | DATA1 (D0) | DATA | Data bit 0 |
| 3 | DATA2 (D1) | DATA | Data bit 1 |
| 4 | DATA3 (D2) | DATA | Data bit 2 |
| 5 | DATA4 (D3) | DATA | Data bit 3 |
| 6 | DATA5 (D4) | DATA | Data bit 4 |
| 7 | DATA6 (D5) | DATA | Data bit 5 |
| 8 | DATA7 (D6) | DATA | Data bit 6 |
| 9 | DATA8 (D7) | DATA | Data bit 7 |
| 10 | /ACK | SIGNAL | Acknowledge (active low) |
| 11 | BUSY | SIGNAL | Busy (active high) |
| 12 | PE | SIGNAL | Paper End (active high) |
| 13 | SELECT | SIGNAL | Printer online |
| 14 | /AUTOFEED | SIGNAL | Auto line feed (active low) |
| 15 | NC | SIGNAL | Not connected |
| 16 | 0V (GND) | GND | Logic ground |
| 17 | CHASSIS GND | GND | Chassis / shield ground |
| 18 | +5V | POWER | +5 V pull-up supply (50 mA max) |
| 19 | GND | GND / SIGNAL | Signal ground |
| 20 | GND | GND / SIGNAL | Signal ground |
| 21 | GND | GND / SIGNAL | Signal ground |
| 22 | GND | GND / SIGNAL | Signal ground |
| 23 | GND | GND / SIGNAL | Signal ground |
| 24 | GND | GND / SIGNAL | Signal ground |
| 25 | GND | GND / SIGNAL | Signal ground |
| 26 | GND | GND / SIGNAL | Signal ground |
| 27 | GND | GND / SIGNAL | Signal ground |
| 28 | GND | GND / SIGNAL | Signal ground |
| 29 | GND | GND / SIGNAL | Signal ground |
| 30 | GND | GND / SIGNAL | Signal ground |
| 31 | /INIT | SIGNAL | Initialize / reset printer (active low) |
| 32 | /FAULT | SIGNAL | Printer error / fault (active low) |
| 33 | GND | GND / SIGNAL | Signal ground |
| 34 | NC | SIGNAL | Not connected |
| 35 | +5V | SIGNAL | +5 V (pulled high through resistor) |
| 36 | /SLCT IN | SIGNAL | Select input (active low) |
Notes
- A parallel DATA interface (IEEE 1284 Type B), not a power connector.
- Pairs with a DB25 on the PC host side.
Reference: IEEE 1284 / Centronics parallel printer interface pinout· verified 2026-06-27