PCB Pin Headers & Female Headers: Complete Buyer's Guide for 1.0mm, 1.27mm, 2.0mm & 2.54mm Pitch
Pin headers and female headers are the foundational interconnect components of modern electronics. From Arduino prototyping to high-density server boards, these simple components define how PCBs connect to each other, to wires, and to the outside world. This guide covers every standard pitch — 1.0mm, 1.27mm, 2.0mm, and 2.54mm — with full specifications, configuration options, soldering methods, and selection criteria for both prototyping and production environments.
Pin Header vs Female Header: What Is the Difference?
A pin header (male header) has exposed metal pins that protrude from a plastic insulator. It is soldered to a PCB and provides the male mating interface. A female header (socket) has recessed contacts that accept the pins of a mating pin header. Together, they form a separable board-to-board or wire-to-board connection.
| Component | Also Known As | Function | Typical Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pin header | Male header, berg strip | Provides male pins for mating | Soldered to PCB |
| Female header | Socket, receptacle, female connector | Accepts male pins | PCB or wire harness end |
Pitch Comparison: 1.0mm to 2.54mm
| Pitch | Also Called | Rated Current | Insulator | Primary Use | Breakable Strip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0mm | Micro pitch | 1A | LCP or PA66 | Wearables, IoT, medical, drones | No |
| 1.27mm | 0.05" pitch | 1A | LCP or PA66 | JTAG, high-density boards, ARM debug | No |
| 2.0mm | Micro header | 3A | PA66 | Compact industrial, consumer electronics | Sometimes |
| 2.54mm | 0.1" pitch, standard pitch | 3A | PA66 | Arduino, Raspberry Pi, all development boards | Yes |
1.0mm Pitch Headers — Ultra-Fine Pitch for Miniaturized Electronics
The 1.0mm pitch is the finest standard pitch in common use, enabling the highest circuit density in the smallest PCB footprint. At half the spacing of the 2.54mm standard, 1.0mm headers are essential for wearables, IoT sensor modules, medical instruments, and miniaturized industrial controllers where board space and weight are critical constraints.
1.0mm Pin Headers
Our 1.0mm pitch pin headers are available in single-row and dual-row through-hole configurations, as well as SMD variants for automated reflow assembly. LCP insulator for SMD reflow applications — gold-plated contacts (0.3μm to 3μm Au over Ni) ensure low contact resistance and long-term reliability.
1.0mm Female Headers
Our 1.0mm pitch female headers are available in single-row, dual-row, right-angle, and low-profile configurations. Tape-and-reel packaging available for SMD variants.
Key design note: At 1.0mm pitch, strips cannot be broken to custom lengths. Always order the exact pin count required.
1.27mm Pitch Headers — The JTAG & ARM Debug Standard
The 1.27mm (0.05 inch) pitch is the standard for JTAG debug connectors, ARM SWD interfaces, ISP programming headers, and high-density board-to-board connections. It is the pitch used on standard 10-pin and 20-pin ARM Cortex debug connectors.
1.27mm Pin Headers
Our 1.27mm pitch pin headers are available in single-row and dual-row through-hole and SMD configurations. Dual-row 1.27mm headers are the standard for 10-pin ARM SWD, 20-pin JTAG, and high-density ribbon cable connectors.
1.27mm Female Headers
Our 1.27mm pitch female headers provide the mating socket for 1.27mm pin headers, used in debug adapter boards, test fixtures, and high-density board-to-board stacking applications.
2.0mm Pitch Headers — Compact Industrial & Consumer Standard
The 2.0mm pitch bridges the gap between the ultra-fine 1.27mm pitch and the universal 2.54mm standard. Widely used in compact industrial modules, consumer electronics internal wiring, and development boards.
2.0mm Pin Headers
Our 2.0mm pitch pin headers are available in single-row and dual-row through-hole configurations, with vertical and right-angle orientations. Rated at 3A per contact.
2.0mm Female Headers
Our 2.0mm pitch female headers are available in single-row, dual-row, and right-angle configurations for flexible PCB layout integration.
2.54mm Pitch Headers — The Universal Standard
The 2.54mm (0.1 inch) pitch is the global standard — used on Arduino, Raspberry Pi GPIO, STM32 Nucleo, ESP32, and virtually every breadboard-compatible development board.
2.54mm Pin Headers
Our 2.54mm pitch pin headers are available in the widest range of configurations:
- Single-row vertical TH — breakable strip from 1 to 40 positions
- Dual-row vertical TH — for JTAG, ISP, IDC ribbon cable connectors
- Right-angle TH — for edge-mount and panel-interface applications
- SMD — reflow-solderable for automated PCB assembly
- Short-pin / long-pin variants — for specific mated height requirements
- Kinked (retention) pin — press-fit retention during soldering
2.54mm Female Headers
Our 2.54mm pitch female headers include all standard configurations plus:
- Stackable female headers — for Arduino shields and Raspberry Pi HATs
- Long-body / extended socket — for stackable shield configurations
Through-Hole vs SMD
| Factor | Through-Hole (TH) | SMD (Surface Mount) |
|---|---|---|
| Soldering method | Wave solder or hand solder | Reflow solder (automated) |
| Mechanical strength | Higher (pin through PCB) | Lower (pad on surface) |
| Assembly speed | Slower | Faster (pick-and-place) |
| Best for | Prototyping, mechanical strength needed | High-volume automated production |
Contact Plating: Tin vs Gold
| Plating | Mating Cycles | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tin (Sn) | ≥30 cycles | Low | Cost-sensitive production |
| Gold (Au) 0.3–3μm | ≥50 cycles | Higher | High-reliability, high-cycle, harsh environments |
Insulator Material: PA66 vs LCP
PA66 — standard for 2.0mm and 2.54mm pitch; rated to +105°C; suitable for wave and hand soldering.
LCP — required for 1.0mm and 1.27mm SMD variants; withstands 260°C lead-free reflow; superior dimensional stability at ultra-fine pitches.
How to Select the Right Header
- Determine pitch — 2.54mm for Arduino/RPi; 1.27mm for JTAG/SWD; 1.0mm for wearables/IoT
- Select configuration — single/dual row; vertical, right-angle, or SMD; standard, stackable, or long-body
- Choose plating — tin for cost-effective production; gold for high-cycle or harsh environments
- Confirm mated height — verify total stack height fits within enclosure clearance
Frequently Asked Questions
What pitch pin header does Arduino use?
Arduino Uno, Mega, Leonardo, and Nano all use 2.54mm (0.1 inch) pitch pin headers. All standard Arduino shields and jumper wires use the 2.54mm pitch standard.
Can I use a 2.54mm female header with a 2.0mm pin header?
No. Different pitches are not interchangeable — the pin spacing does not align. Always match the female header pitch to the pin header pitch exactly.
What is a stackable female header?
A stackable female header has extended pass-through pins allowing another board to stack on top — the standard connector for Arduino shields and Raspberry Pi HATs.
Why do 1.0mm SMD headers use LCP instead of PA66?
At 1.0mm pitch, insulator walls are extremely thin. LCP provides superior dimensional stability and 260°C reflow heat resistance that PA66 cannot achieve at this fine pitch.
What is the difference between right-angle and vertical pin headers?
Vertical headers mate from above; right-angle headers have pins bent 90° and mate from the side — used for edge-mount and space-constrained PCB layouts.
How do I break a 2.54mm pin header strip to a custom length?
Score between the desired pins and snap cleanly. For production, order exact pin counts to avoid waste and ensure consistent assembly quality.
Conclusion
Yoeruyo supplies 1.0mm, 1.27mm, 2.0mm, and 2.54mm pin headers and female headers with bulk and OEM pricing for production environments.
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