Standard PCB thickness: 1.6 mm and the alternatives
Which board thickness to choose, what it influences and how it fits with copper, drilling and the layer stack.
Why 1.6 mm is the standard
The standard thickness of 1.6 mm comes from the early boards of 1/16 inch. Connectors, card guides, enclosures and assembly lines are designed around it, so a 1.6 mm board is the choice that raises the fewest questions.
Common thicknesses
| Thickness | When it fits |
|---|---|
| 0.8 mm | Compact and light devices, small boards with few heavy parts |
| 1.0 and 1.2 mm | Slim products, modules that must fit a narrow gap |
| 1.6 mm | The standard — if there is no reason to deviate, use it |
| 2.0 and 2.4 mm | Stiffness, heavy components, power electronics, mounting under load |
PCB-ELECTRA produces 0.51 to 2.4 mm. The exact values on offer are shown in the price calculator.
What thickness influences
- Stiffness. A thin board bends and vibrates more; a large thin board can bow during soldering.
- Connectors and enclosures. Check the connector datasheet: plug-in connectors and card guides expect a given thickness.
- Drilling. The ratio of board thickness to hole diameter should stay below roughly 10 : 1 for reliable plating. A thick board with very small holes becomes difficult. See the vias and hole sizes guide.
- Multilayer boards. The total thickness is the sum of the cores, the prepreg and the copper; the stack-up must be symmetrical. See the stack-up guide.
- Aluminium (IMS) boards. Here the thickness is mostly the aluminium base, commonly 1.0 to 2.0 mm, plus the thin dielectric and the copper.
- Tolerance. As a rule of thumb, the thickness of a finished board is accurate to about ±10 %. If a mechanical fit is critical, say so when you order.
Practical advice
- Use 1.6 mm unless something in the product demands otherwise.
- Go thicker for heavy components, connectors under force and screw mounting.
- Go thinner for space reasons — and support large thin boards during assembly.
- Check connector and enclosure drawings before you fix the thickness.
Upload your Gerber archive in the calculator and choose the thickness there, or contact us for advice on a special case.
Frequently asked questions
Which board thicknesses can I order?
From 0.51 to 2.4 mm. The thickness you choose appears in the calculator together with the other options.
Which thickness is the usual standard?
1.6 mm is the most common thickness for printed circuit boards, and a good default when nothing speaks against it.
Does a thicker board cost more?
Thickness can change the price, as can the other options. The calculator shows the effect for your configuration.
Browse the questions and answers →
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