Halloween DealsAmazon USHalloween week deals: useful picks before month-endAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsPC HealthRecommendedCrashes, freezes, slowdowns? Check your PC nowSpot repairable issues before they interrupt work.Check PCHalloween DealsAmazon USOctober picks are moving - compare before checkoutAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
World desk2 min

Clear to Send: What It Means in Everyday Use and Serial Communications

“Clear to send” usually means permission to proceed. In serial communications, CTS means Clear to Send and describes a signal whose behavior depends on the relevant device.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

“Clear to send” usually means someone has permission to proceed. In serial communications, CTS stands for “Clear to Send,” a signal that indicates whether a communication partner may send data. The intended meaning depends on context.

What “clear to send” means in everyday use

In ordinary conversation, “Are we clear to send?” can mean “Do we have approval to send this?” It may refer to a draft, announcement, document, or message awaiting review. This is a context-sensitive use of plain English, not a universal technical definition.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

If the situation is not obvious, identify who is giving approval and what is ready to be sent. For example: “Has the communications team approved the announcement for sending?” makes both the decision and the item explicit.

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

What CTS means in serial communications

In serial communications, CTS means Clear to Send. A Siemens communications-module manual for the CM PtP RS232 HF describes CTS as a signal to the communication partner. It states: “CTS set to "ON": Signals "clear to send" to the communication partner”. The same manual describes CTS OFF as “Not clear to send.” Siemens CM PtP RS232 HF manual (January 2013).

#1 Best Overall
OIKWAN USB to RS232, USB Serial Adapter with FTDI Chipset,USB 2.0 to Male DB9 Serial Cable for Windows 11,10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000, Linux and Mac OS(6ft)…
  • !!Please NOTE: this is MALE RS232 to DB9 SERIAL CABLE ,Not VGA!!!It is 9 pin, NOT 15 pin!! Look carefully of the Pin is match with your device. Before ordering , please confirm the interface gender is waht you need. After receiving ,please read user manual /instruction at first and download the Driver at first from FT232 Official website or Cisco website . Customer service always online.
  • Wide range of applications: USB to RS232 DB9 male serial adapter can work with your Windows (10 / 8.1 / 8 / 7 / Vista / XP), MAC or Linux system and other platforms. USB adapter is designed to connect to serial devices, such as serial modem with DB9, ISDN terminal adapter, digital camera, label writer, palm computer, barcode scanner, PDA, cash register, CNC, PLC controller, tax printer, POS, bar code scanner, label printer, etc
  • High quality: ftdi usb serial,the latest ftdi chip set ensures more reliable and faster operation. USB 2.0 to RS232 male DB9 console cable will support 1Mbps date transfer rate.
  • Most convenient: rs232 to usb simple installation, plug and play, COM port creation, baud rate can be changed to the required settings. USB power supply - no external power supply required.
  • Exquisite design: usb-to-serial,Gold Plated USB RS232 connector and PVC cable ensure high performance and extra durability. Powered by USB port, this USB to DB9 series RS232 adapter cable is designed to fit easily into your handbag.

That ON/OFF description is specific to the device manual and its hardware context. It should not be treated as a statement that every device or protocol implements or labels flow control in exactly the same way.

How to tell which meaning applies

Context What is being sent What “clear” refers to
Everyday or workplace conversation A message, document, announcement, or other item Approval from a person or workflow
Serial communications Data A CTS signal described by the relevant communications system

If someone uses the phrase without technical context, it most likely means permission to proceed. If CTS appears in a serial-communications discussion or device documentation, it refers to the signal; check the documentation for that particular system.

Rank #2
OIKWAN USB Type C to RS232 DB9 Serial Port Adapter Cable, FTDI Chipset, Supports Windows 11, 10, 8, 7 and Mac Linux
  • !!Please NOTE: this is MALE Type-C RS232 to DB9 SERIAL CABLE ,Not VGA!!!It is 9 pin, NOT 15 pin!! Look carefully of the Pin is match with your device. Before ordering , please confirm the interface gender is waht you need. After receiving ,please read user manual /instruction at first and download the Driver at first from FT232 Official website or Cisco website . Customer service always online.
  • How it works: Use USB-C transfer rate up to 1Mbps to RS-232 converter to realize data transfer between PC or laptop with USB Type C port and RS-232 device, allows your PC or laptop to connect RS-232 serial devices and programs that communicate through COM ports.
  • Connectors :USB Type C male, RS232 db9 male,USB Type C 2.0 male to USB DB9 male
  • Chipset & Supported OS: FTDI-FT232RL Chipset for widest possible stablity and compatibility with Windows (10/8.1/8/7XP), Mac, Linux, etc. Support almost all serial COM port
  • Plug and play: Powered by USB-C port, no external power adapter required. Simple installation, plug & play after one time driver installation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

How to use the phrase clearly in a message

For workplace emails and texts, GOV.UK guidance recommends concise wording and says, “Don’t use jargon or acronyms without explanation.” GOV.UK, “Planning and writing text messages and emails” (last updated 3 October 2017).

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Quick Recap

Best Value
Gearmo USB to Serial Adapter Windows 11 Support, 5ft Cable, LED Indicators, FTDI Chipset, Compatible with Windows 11/10/8/7 - MacOS - Linux
  • USB TO RS232 SERIAL - 5ft length serial adapter cable allows connection of legacy DB-9 serial communications devices to a modern computer with USB.
  • LED INDICATORS - Easily check the status of the RS-232 host to device link with LED indicators built into the DB9 to USB cable for fast and easy connection testing.
  • COMPATIBILITY - This FTDI USB to serial cable supports mutiple OS platforms, including Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11, Linux, and MacOS.
  • WHY GEARMO? Your Trusted Partner based in the USA, providing advanced engineering and highly reliable products to handle the most demanding industries for over 20 years. Reach out to us for CAD, Mechanical Drawings and Data Sheets.
Rank #4
OIKWAN USB-C to Serial Adapter, 6FT RS232 DB9 Female Converter Cable, FTDI Chip, Compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, Type C Device, Industrial Applications, Data Communication
  • !!Please NOTE: this is FEMALE Type-C RS232 to DB9 SERIAL CABLE ,Not VGA!!!It is 9 pin, NOT 15 pin!! Look carefully of the Pin is match with your device. Before ordering , please confirm the interface gender is waht you need. After receiving ,please read user manual /instruction at first and download the Driver at first from FT232 Official website or Cisco website . Customer service always online.
  • Use USB-C transfer rate up to 1Mbps to RS-232 converter to realize data transfer between PC or laptop with USB Type C port and RS-232 device, allows your PC or laptop to connect RS-232 serial devices and programs that communicate through COM ports,No external power source is required
  • Connectors :USB Type C male, RS232 db9 Female,USB Type C 2.0 male to USB DB9 Female
  • Chipset & Supported OS: FTDI-FT232RL Chipset for widest possible stablity and compatibility with Windows (10/8.1/8/7XP), Mac, Linux, etc. Support almost all serial COM port
  • Plug and play: Powered by USB-C port, no external power adapter required. Simple installation, plug & play after one time driver installation. Supports Automatic Handshake;
Rank #3
DTECH RS232 to RS485 RS422 Serial Communication Data Converter Adapter Mini-Size
  • Pro grade RS232 to RS485 / RS422 converter. It easily lets you connect any RS485 or RS422 device directly to COM port
  • Best solution for the communication between serial port and RS485 or RS422 device
  • Unique serial charge pump drive technology, no external power supply, the real three-wire communication (TXD,RXD,GND). No need serial port initialization
  • Supports baud rates up to 115.2 Kbps; Automatic sense serial signal rate
  • Supports a maximum connection distance of 4000ft (1200m)
  • Say what needs approval: “Is the report approved to send?”
  • Name the next action and, when relevant, the deadline: “Please approve the announcement by 3 p.m. so we can send it today.”
  • For a general audience, spell out “Clear to Send” before using CTS.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Wire

  1. World desk4 min
    How to Spot an AI Voice Scam Before Sending MoneyDon’t rely on how a caller sounds. Pause, call back through a known number, and verify the emergency with another trusted person before sending money.
  2. Mountain View desk4 min
    Google’s SynthID Detector: How to Check AI-Generated Images, Video and AudioGoogle’s SynthID Detector looks for an embedded watermark in supported images, video and audio. Here is what its results do—and do not—show.
  3. Redmond desk20 min
    How to create a link to File or Folder in Windows 11Windows 11 gives you several ways to point to a file or folder without moving or duplicating it. You can create a desktop shortcut,…
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.