running 2 additional screens from laptop

"so is it possible to run a usb to hdmi ? Can anyone advise here?" - yeah, its called docking station

Would anyone know what this cable or lead is called?

As Capt’n Midnight says - it’ll depend on the make and model of the laptop. The USB-C port on some laptops allows for a dongle, or a hub to be able to connect and provide output to two external monitors separately (as in a different image on each screen). It’d be something like this one which I have myself:

https://amzn.eu/d/d8BzyzA

It allows for display out from the USB-C port to three external HDMI ports on the hub, and has power pass-through to power the laptop via the same hub - needs more than the standard 65W charger standard, so you’ll probably need to pick up one of these 100W chargers while you’re at it:

https://amzn.eu/d/irfkZ44

Basically it allows you to output to three external monitors at 1080P which is enough for my needs, it doesn’t do 4K if that’s the kind of resolution you need, but hopefully you get an idea of what to look for - start with finding out can the USB-C port on your laptop do Display Out:

Note: For a USB-C port to support display output, it needs DisplayPort(DP) Alt Mode compatibility, a full-featured USB-C cable (not just for charging), and an updated operating system with compatible drivers. Additionally, the external display must support DisplayPort.

https://www.anker.com/blogs/hubs-and-docks/can-a-usb-c-port-be-used-for-display

If you’re just connecting an HDMI splitter to the HDMI port on the laptop, that’s exactly all it’ll do - you’ll get the same image on all screens, probably not what you want.

The two external monitors are going to need an HDMI cable each, so just a USB-C to HDMI adapter or cable would only work for one external monitor. Something like this would do the two monitors if all you want is to hook up the two monitors and have the laptop screen on at the same time:

https://amzn.eu/d/a5gxwue

Bit spicy on price if all the OP is looking for is to hook up two external monitors. It’s good if the OP was looking for a workstation setup that they didn’t have to be fiddling around with a load of peripherals though.

EDIT: dball I only just copped what you were asking. I just tried it and you CAN use the HDMI port on the laptop for one monitor, and the USB-C port with an adapter for the other monitor, and have all three screens show separate images. Something like this would do the job:

https://amzn.eu/d/96Eox2s

Your laptop has a separate power port so you could still use that to power the laptop, wouldn’t need a separate charger.

Just going to piggy back this if people don't mind.....I've a HP pavilion laptop with

2 x USB ports

1 x USB-C port

1 x HDMI port

Can monitor be used as a separate display from laptop for a 2 screen setup? If it becomes a pain using 2 different sized screens I might look at getting 2 external monitors but not for now.

Ill also be adding a mouse and keyboard which should be no problem with the 2 x USB and 1 monitor with the HDMI but can moniot act as a 2nd screen?

Happy enough to buy a device if it's needed

Just get something like this. Its just one USB-C cable to your laptop then for everything instead of having to unplug mouse/keyboard, headset, HDMI cable etc.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lemorele-Docking-Station-Monitor-Multiport-Black-10-1/dp/B0C5ZY5WMV/ref%3Dsr_1_2_sspa?adgrpid=113457266803&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.STHfg3yjtHVny7sKd7rnGR9_VuWUHEqMMfoMwMf92j2STz4PRr_N948XLHLqSxp5qSQV30UrZnidW2JP61JgYUffCYuSLjlwjs4qJOhjVxpCAcTjR_frmhi_wfNgRsbuccgCEdgzcWA333Aw62MIpCb2a8lHVNvigze6aqniPNm1RGKetXmAQmaz5sYtkBQffdvCnBj4PqA74-BrJVcgIzMuhVBKYYT1iIXDgA7M5kM.KWa1lb6Yoc7byN7zh5KYfWn7LGryAXfeUkkk-o2fjDs&dib_tag=se&hvadid=578375783019&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1007850&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=16128445147099437067&hvtargid=kwd-323107505700&hydadcr=7303_2233246&keywords=hp+pavilion+laptop+docking+station&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1734981940&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1