Cable markers provide a way to identify the purpose of each cable and give each cable an identification or distinction from the other cables so that each end of the cable is connected to its appropriate location. When dealing with hundreds or thousands of cables, having a cable marked and identified will not only ensure proper connection of the cables to their appropriate location, but prevent a significant amount of time lost retracing and probing to find the correct cable or wire.

Cable markers can be classified into different categories. Some can be a separate distinct label or tag, which is placed on the cable during installation. These tags can be customized on a label, printed out and then attached to the cable to appropriately identify the cable.

Cable markers can also come from the manufacturer where they mark the outer sheathing of the cable with information about the number of conductors contained with the cable, temperature rating, conductor size and a continuous incremental length count.