Abstract: A convenient compact telephone cord with a special coil diameter and a much smaller relaxed retracted length reduces sagging, occupies less space, and is much more attractive than conventional saggy telephone cords. The user-friendly high performance telephone cord has a core of electrical conductors which are insulated by primary insulation and are encased within an insulating jacket to meet or exceed national and international telephone standards and requirements. In the preferred form, the primary insulation comprises polypropylene and the insulating jacket comprises polyurethane and most preferably a blend of polyurethane and ethylene vinyl acetate. Desirably, the telephone cord comprises a modular retractile telephone cord with at least one modular plug. The attractive space-saving telephone cord can be used with handsets, headsets, vehicle phones, modems, and computers.