UK How M.2 sizes are named
M.2 sizes are encoded in a four- or five-digit number: the first two digits are the width in millimetres, and the remaining digits are the length. A 2280 module is 22 mm wide and 80 mm long; a 22110 module is 22 mm wide and 110 mm long. M.2, originally called NGFF (Next Generation Form Factor), is defined by PCI-SIG, and its specification lists widths of 12, 16, 22 and 30 mm and lengths of 16, 26, 30, 38, 42, 60, 80 and 110 mm.
Only a handful of those combinations are common. For SSDs, almost everything is 22 mm wide, and 2280 is the default size that nearly every host board supports. Shorter sizes appear in compact systems and handhelds, and the longer 22110 in servers and industrial drives that need more board space.
The common M.2 sizes and what they are used for
| Size code | Width × length | Typical modules | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2230 | 22 × 30 mm | Wi-Fi and Bluetooth cards, compact NVMe SSDs | Used in handheld PCs and ultra-compact systems |
| 2242 | 22 × 42 mm | SATA and NVMe SSDs, some cellular modules | Common in compact embedded boards |
| 2260 | 22 × 60 mm | Some industrial SSDs | Less common transitional length |
| 2280 | 22 × 80 mm | Most NVMe and SATA SSDs, AI accelerators, capture cards | The default size; supported by nearly every host |
| 22110 | 22 × 110 mm | High-capacity and enterprise or industrial SSDs | Extra space for NAND and power loss protection capacitors |
| 3042 and 3052 | 30 × 42 mm, 30 × 52 mm | 4G and 5G cellular modems | Wider footprint for radio components |
| 1216 and 1630 | 12 × 16 mm, 16 × 30 mm | Soldered or very small wireless modules | Rare in industrial computing |
Sizes come from the M.2 specification. Always check the host’s datasheet for which lengths its slot supports.
Widths in practice
The width tells you more about the type of module than the length does:
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22 mm wide. The dominant width across M.2 modules. SSDs, wireless cards, AI accelerators and video capture cards are almost all 22 mm, and host sockets are almost always 22 mm wide.
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30 mm wide. Used for many 4G and 5G cellular modems, where the wider board leaves room for radio components and antenna connectors. Hosts with 30 mm slots are a minority.
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12 mm and 16 mm wide. Defined in the standard but rare in practice, mostly for soldered-down or very small wireless modules. Not typically seen in industrial computing.
Will a shorter M.2 SSD fit a longer slot?
Usually, yes. Most M.2 sockets support several lengths through repositionable standoffs. A board advertising a 2280 slot will typically also accept 2242 and 2260 modules, and often 2230: the mounting screw moves to the matching position for the shorter module. If the board has no standoff at the right position, an adapter bracket can extend a short module to 2280.
The reverse is not true. A 22110 module will not fit a 2280-only slot, because there is nowhere to secure the end and it may foul other components. Check the maximum supported length before ordering longer modules.
Length is only part of the fit. The connector key must match the socket, as our FAQ on M.2 keying explains: a 2280 NVMe SSD is M-keyed and will not fit a B-key cellular socket even though the lengths match. The interface matters too, since a SATA M.2 drive will not work in a slot wired only for PCIe; our comparison of NVMe and SATA on M.2 covers that.
Thickness and single- or double-sided modules
The full M.2 module name can also include a height code. For example, 2280-S3-M means a 22 × 80 mm module with components on one side (S3) and an M key. Single-sided codes (S1 to S3) and double-sided codes (D1 to D5) set how tall the components can be on each side. Thin laptops and compact embedded boards often need single-sided modules, because there is no clearance under the card. Double-sided SSDs fit more NAND, so higher capacities are more often double-sided. The SATA SSD versus NVMe choice does not change the size codes, which are shared by both.
Sizes on industrial systems
On industrial computers, the M.2 slots usually split by job: a 2280 M-key slot for the boot SSD, a 2230 E-key slot for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and a 3042 or 3052 B-key slot for a cellular modem. Some boards add a second 2280 M-key slot for an AI accelerator or a further SSD, and our M.2 capture cards, including A/E-key versions for the wireless slot, bring video inputs to the same boards. Industrial SSDs in 2280 and 22110 often use the extra length for power loss protection and higher-endurance NAND. When a system is specified, we match each module to the slot length, key and interface, and keep spare slots free where a customer may add an accelerator or modem later. For the full picture of keys, bus interfaces and applications, see our M.2 expansion slots white paper.
Quick answers on M.2 sizes
M.2 SSD sizes: common questions
What is the most common M.2 SSD size?
2280. It is 22 mm wide and 80 mm long, and almost every desktop, laptop and industrial board with an M.2 SSD slot supports it.
Will a 2230 SSD fit in a 2280 slot?
Usually, yes. If the board has a standoff at the 30 mm position, or you fit an adapter bracket, a 2230 drive works in a 2280 slot with the same key and interface.
Are all M.2 SSDs the same size?
No. They share the 22 mm width but come in lengths from 30 to 110 mm. Check the slot’s supported lengths before buying.
What does 22110 mean?
A module 22 mm wide and 110 mm long. It is the longest standard M.2 length, used for high-capacity and enterprise or industrial SSDs.
Does M.2 size affect speed?
Not directly. Speed depends on the interface, SATA or PCIe NVMe, and the drive itself. Longer modules can fit more NAND and better cooling, which helps sustained performance.
We fit M.2 SSDs, wireless and cellular modules to industrial computers as standard, matched to each slot’s size, key and interface, and test each system before it ships. Tell us the storage capacity, wireless and expansion you need, and we will specify the modules to match.