M.2 form factors determine the physical size and compatibility of your SSD, ranging from compact 2230 drives for handheld devices to full-length 22110 modules for workstations. Understanding these size specifications ensures you select a drive that physically fits your device and meets your storage needs.
The numbers in M.2 form factors aren't arbitrary—they represent precise width and length measurements that directly impact where you can install the drive. Installing the wrong size means your SSD simply won't fit, making form factor selection as critical as capacity or speed.
This guide breaks down each M.2 form factor, explains where each size works best, and helps you identify exactly which specification your system requires.
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Understanding M.2 Form Factor Specifications
M.2 form factor specs include those number codes for physical size and “key” types that determine what’ll actually fit your system. Width always sits at 22mm, but length changes, and the key type decides which slots the drive will work with.
What M.2 Form Factor Numbers Mean
The four-digit number on an M.2 SSD tells you its exact size. The first two digits are always the width—22mm. The last two digits are the length in millimeters.
So, a 2280 drive is 22mm wide and 80mm long. A 2242? That’s 22mm wide, 42mm long. It’s a pretty straightforward numbering system, which makes it easier to figure out what’ll fit your slot.
Check your motherboard or laptop specs before you buy. Some systems only take certain lengths, while others have multiple mounting holes for different sizes.
Common M.2 Sizes: 2230, 2242, 2280, 22110
2230 drives are 30mm long—the tiniest option. You’ll mostly see these in compact laptops and handheld gaming devices where every millimeter counts.
2242 drives at 42mm long show up in some ultrabooks and small form factor computers. They offer a bit more storage than 2230s but still squeeze into tight spots.
2280 is the standard at 80mm long. Most desktop motherboards and laptops are built for this size, and you’ll find the widest selection here. It’s the go-to for most setups.
2260 drives, 60mm long, are kind of rare. Some laptops use them, but they’re not as easy to find as 2280s.
22110 drives, the giants at 110mm, are mostly for desktops and workstations that need big storage. Most laptops simply don’t have the space for these.
Key Types: B Key, M Key, and B+M Key Explained
The “key” type refers to the notches on the connector. These notches make sure you don’t jam the wrong drive into your slot.
M Key drives have a single notch on the right. They use PCIe lanes and support NVMe for top speeds. Most new high-performance SSDs go with M Key.
B Key drives have the notch on the left and typically use SATA. These are older and slower, and honestly, you won’t see many new ones around.
B+M Key drives have notches on both sides, so they’ll fit in either B Key or M Key slots. A lot of SATA M.2 SSDs use this setup for more compatibility, but even in an M Key slot, they’ll still run at SATA speeds.
Your motherboard manual will spell out which key types each slot supports. Some slots only take M Key, others accept both.
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Choosing the Right M.2 Form Factor
Picking the right M.2 size really comes down to your device and how much space you have. 2230 fits tiny devices and handhelds, 2280 is standard for desktops and laptops, and 22110 is for workstations that need a ton of storage.
2230 SSDs: Ultra-Compact Devices and Handhelds
The 2230 form factor—22mm wide, 30mm long—is the smallest you’ll commonly find.
Manufacturers put 2230 SSDs in portable gaming machines like the Steam Deck and in Microsoft Surface tablets. They’re perfect for spots where space is at a premium. Some ultrabooks go this route too.
Capacity is the main trade-off. Most 2230s top out at 1TB or 2TB, since there’s just not much room for storage chips. Still, performance can be surprisingly good—many models hit NVMe speeds.
Double-check your device manual before you buy a 2230 SSD. Some systems use weird, proprietary mounts that only fit this size.
2280 SSDs: The Standard for Desktop and Laptop
2280s—22mm wide, 80mm long—are everywhere. This is the default size for most systems.
Most desktops and laptops come with M.2 slots made for 2280 drives. Manufacturers like this size because it’s a sweet spot for space and capacity. You’ll find 2280s from 250GB up to 8TB or more.
This size gives you the best selection of brands, speeds, and prices. Whether you want a cheap SATA drive or a blazing-fast PCIe Gen4 NVMe, you’ll find it in 2280. The extra length lets them fit more NAND chips for higher capacity.
If you’re planning an upgrade, 2280 is usually your safest bet. Pretty much every gaming PC, workstation, and consumer laptop supports it.
22110 SSDs: High-Capacity Workstation Storage
22110s come in at 22mm wide and 110mm long—the biggest standard M.2 size you’ll see.
Workstations and high-end servers use 22110 SSDs when storage capacity is everything. The longer board means more NAND chips, so you can get drives up to 16TB or more. Data centers and folks editing huge video files definitely benefit from these.
But you won’t see 22110s in most consumer devices. Standard laptops and desktops usually don’t have M.2 slots long enough. The size just doesn’t work for smaller systems.
Prices per gigabyte are usually higher than with shorter drives. Only go for 22110 if your system supports it and you really need that much space.
How to Check Your Device's M.2 Compatibility
Your motherboard or laptop manual will list which M.2 sizes it supports. Look in the specs for M.2 slot details.
If you’re hands-on, open your device and check the M.2 slot. You’ll often see little screw holes marked 2230, 2260, or 2280. These show which sizes fit. There’s usually a standoff screw you can move to match your SSD’s length.
Online resources help too. Just search for your motherboard or laptop model with “M.2 support” and you’ll usually find what you need. Manufacturer sites often include slot diagrams.
Key compatibility factors:
- Form factor length – Make sure your slot is long enough
- Interface type – SATA or NVMe support
- Key notch – B-key, M-key, or B+M-key
- PCIe generation – Gen3 or Gen4 support
Some devices have more than one M.2 slot, each with its own size limits. One might take 2280, another only 2230. Always check each slot’s specs before you buy.
M.2 Form Factor Performance and Applications
The size of an M.2 SSD affects thermal management and capacity, but speed really depends on the interface and NAND tech inside. Different systems need different combos of size, performance, and storage to get the job done.
Does Form Factor Affect SSD Performance?
The M.2 size doesn’t directly control speed. For example, a 2242 NVMe SSD can hit the same read and write speeds as a 2280 drive if they use the same PCIe generation and controller.
The differences show up with heat and layout. Shorter drives like 2230 and 2242 don’t have as much surface area to shed heat. They might throttle during long file transfers or video editing if things get too hot—say, over 70°C.
Bigger 2280 drives fit more NAND chips, so you get higher capacities up to 8TB. There’s also room for DRAM cache, which helps with responsiveness and boot times. Shorter drives often use Host Memory Buffer tech instead, borrowing some system RAM to make up for it.
The PCIe lanes and protocol matter much more than length. An NVMe M.2 drive on PCIe 4.0 can hit 7,000 MB/s writes whether it’s 2242 or 2280. A SATA M.2 SSD will top out at 550 MB/s in any size.
Gaming Systems and M.2 Size Requirements
Most gaming systems use 2280 NVMe drives in desktops and full-size laptops. This size gives you the best mix of capacity, price, and sustained performance for game loading.
Handheld gaming devices need 2230 drives because there’s just no room for anything bigger. Modern 2230 NVMe M.2 drives can hit 5,000 MB/s on PCIe 4.0, which is plenty for today’s games. The only real limit is capacity—right now, 2TB is about as big as they get.
Think about your game library. AAA games can easily eat up 100GB each. A 1TB drive holds maybe 8–10 big games. Bigger 2280 drives with 4TB or more mean you won’t have to shuffle things around as often.
Gaming workload priorities:
- Fast 4K random read speeds for texture loading
- Good thermal management to avoid stuttering from heat throttling
- TLC NAND for better reliability than cheaper QLC
Professional Workstations and Storage Density
Video editors and workstation users need high storage performance for long, heavy workloads. You’ll want 2280 drives with solid thermal solutions and enterprise-grade NAND.
For editing, sequential write speeds directly impact how smoothly you can scrub timelines and how fast exports finish. PCIe 4.0 NVMe drives at 7,000 MB/s make a real difference. MLC or TLC NAND is better for endurance if you’re working every day.
Storage density matters in tight workstations. Multiple M.2 slots let you install several 2TB drives for RAID setups. This spreads out heat and gives you redundancy, which beats loading everything onto a single big drive.
NAS builders often use 2280 SATA M.2 drives as cache. These fit in special M.2 slots without eating up PCIe lanes needed for other expansion cards. Enterprise SSDs with high TBW ratings are best for 24/7 use.
KingSpec M.2 Solutions Across All Form Factors
KingSpec’s NT series 2242 SATA drives are a solid choice for compact devices and older systems. They use the SATA Rev 3.2 interface, offering up to 560 MB/s reads and 550 MB/s writes.
The 2242 size fits ultrabooks and industrial PCs where 2280s won’t go. You get capacities from 128GB to 2TB in just 42mm of length. The operating temperature range—0°C to 70°C—covers most environments you’ll run into.
TBW ratings scale up with capacity, from 60TB for 128GB models to 960TB for 2TB. That’s plenty of endurance for standard users. The 3.5mm height fits most M.2 slots without clearance trouble.
These SATA M.2 drives work when NVMe isn’t an option. Some older laptops and embedded systems only take SATA protocol on their M.2 slots. Check that your slot supports SATA before buying—NVMe-only slots won’t see SATA drives.
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Conclusion: M.2 Form Factors
Choosing the right M.2 form factor comes down to checking your device's physical compatibility and understanding your storage needs. The 2280 size handles most desktop and laptop applications, while compact devices need 2230 and workstations benefit from 22110's extra capacity.
Before buying any M.2 SSD, verify your motherboard or device supports both the physical size and interface type. Matching the form factor ensures your drive fits properly and delivers the performance you're paying for.
Want to understand the performance differences between M.2 interface types? Learn more about choosing between protocols: [NVMe vs SATA: Which SSD is Right for You?](https://www.kingspectech.com/blogs/posts/nvme-vs-sata)
Frequently Asked Questions: M.2 Form Factors
M.2 SSDs can be a headache to figure out since they use different interfaces like SATA and NVMe, come in several physical sizes like 2280, and connect through protocols including AHCI and PCIe.
What is m2 form factor SSD?
An M.2 SSD is a compact, rectangular storage drive that connects directly to your motherboard without cables. These drives are always 22mm wide but come in different lengths: 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, and 22110. M.2 drives use either SATA (slower, similar to 2.5-inch SSDs) or PCIe with NVMe protocol (much faster).
What does 'm 2' stand for?
M.2 doesn't stand for anything specific—it's simply the official name for this storage form factor. The standard replaced the older mSATA design, allowing for larger circuit boards and higher capacities. It's just the label the industry adopted for this connector type.
What does 2280 mean in NVMe?
The numbers indicate physical dimensions: 22mm wide by 80mm long. 2280 is the most common size found in desktop motherboards and laptops. Both NVMe and SATA drives can be 2280—the number refers to size, not the protocol.
What is the other name for M 2?
M.2 was originally called "NGFF" (Next Generation Form Factor) during early development. Most people use M.2 now, though NGFF appears in older documentation. The name refers to the physical connector shape, not whether it uses SATA or PCIe protocols.
