How to set up KiCad design rules for manufacturing
The values to enter in Board Setup before you route, so that the design rule check matches what the factory can build.
Why set the rules before routing
KiCad checks your board only against the rules you give it, and its defaults are not the limits of any factory. If you enter the manufacturer’s values first, the design rule check (DRC) tells you about problems while they are still cheap to fix. The full list of limits is in our design rules guide.
Where to enter them
- Open the PCB editor and choose File → Board Setup.
- Under Design Rules → Constraints set the minimum clearance, the minimum track width, the minimum through-hole diameter and the minimum annular width.
- Under Design Rules → Pre-defined Sizes enter the track widths and via sizes you plan to use.
- Under Design Rules → Net Classes make sure that no net class goes below the minimums.
- Under Board Setup → Physical Stackup set the number of copper layers and the finished thickness.
- After routing refill the zones, run Inspect → Design Rules Checker and clear every error before you export.
Values to start from
| Setting in KiCad | Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum clearance | 0.15 mm on 18 µm base copper, 0.22 mm with 35 µm, 0.28 mm with 70 µm |
| Minimum track width | the same values as the clearance |
| Minimum through hole | 0.3 mm |
| Minimum annular width | 0.1 mm (0.3 mm drill with a 0.5 mm pad) |
| Largest drilled hole | 6.4 mm; larger openings are milled |
| Board thickness | 0.51 to 2.4 mm |
| Copper layers | 1, 2, 4 or 6 |
Practical tips
- Give power nets wider tracks than the minimum; see trace width and current.
- Use larger pads and vias than the minimum wherever there is room: the annular ring is the first thing to suffer from drilling tolerance (see vias and hole sizes).
- Thicker copper needs larger clearances; see copper thickness.
- Fill all zones again before plotting, otherwise the Gerber files can contain old copper.
Next step
Export the Gerber and drill files (steps in how to open and check Gerber files), go through the DFM checklist and upload the archive to the price calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Which KiCad version do these menus belong to?
The menu names follow KiCad 7 and 8. Other versions use slightly different names, but the same settings exist.
Does a clean DRC mean that the board is ready for production?
It means that the board respects the numbers you entered. The calculator also runs an automatic check on the uploaded files, and every finished board is tested before shipping.
Why do the minimum values depend on the copper thickness?
Etching removes copper sideways as well, so thicker copper needs wider traces and larger gaps to be etched cleanly.
Browse the questions and answers →
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