2.54mm Female Headers and PCB Socket Strips
2.54mm Female Headers and PCB Socket Strips
This collection covers 2.54mm (0.1-inch) female PCB headers, receptacle strips and stack-through sockets. The 56 current products include square-contact and round-contact sockets, single-, dual- and selected triple-row layouts, straight and right-angle through-hole parts, SMT versions, low-profile bodies, bottom-entry sockets and extended-pin PC/104-style headers.
The 2.54mm dimension is contact center spacing. Pitch alone does not guarantee mating: pin cross-section or diameter, row spacing, body height, insertion depth, contact geometry, orientation and PCB footprint must also match.
Female Header Formats Available
- Single-row straight sockets in selected 1×N position counts
- Dual-row straight sockets in selected 2×N layouts
- Selected triple-row 3×N female options
- Single- and dual-row right-angle sockets
- Single- and dual-row SMT/SMD sockets with alternate lead layouts
- Low-profile bodies around 3.5mm or 5mm in selected listings
- Standard and taller body formats around 6.8mm, 7.1mm, 8.5mm or 11mm where specified
- Round-hole sockets for round pins and component prototyping
- Extended-pin and stack-through PC/104-style female headers
- Bottom-entry and board-stacking formats
How to Select
- Confirm the listing option is 2.54mm. Mixed listings also contain 1.27mm or 2.0mm formats.
- Choose row count and positions per row, such as 1×8 or 2×10. Total contact count alone can be ambiguous.
- Match the receptacle to the male contact geometry. Square-post and round-pin systems are not automatically interchangeable.
- Select vertical, right-angle, SMT or bottom-entry mounting to match the PCB footprint.
- Check plastic-body height, mating depth, PCB-tail length and any pass-through pin length.
- For SMT Type 1/Type 2 or mirrored layouts, compare the exact land pattern before ordering.
- Confirm package quantity and whether male mating strips are included or merely offered as another variant.
Standard, Low-Profile and Stackable Sockets
A lower body reduces assembled height but can also change contact engagement and the required male-pin length. Stackable or PC/104-style sockets use extended tails so another connector or PCB can engage below the board. Labels such as PH, L, pin length and plastic height describe different dimensions; do not treat them as interchangeable.
Square Contacts vs. Round-Hole Sockets
Most conventional female header strips are intended for square male posts. Round-hole sockets use a different receptacle geometry and may specify a compatible pin-diameter range. Equal pitch does not mean a round socket will safely accept every square post or that every round pin will be retained correctly.
Through-Hole, Right-Angle and SMT
Vertical through-hole sockets mate perpendicular to the PCB. Right-angle sockets move the mating direction parallel to the board. SMT sockets require the correct pad layout, lead orientation, coplanarity and assembly process. A product described as reflow-capable does not establish reflow suitability for every item in this collection.
Mixed Listings and Collection Boundaries
Several products combine male and female choices, multiple pitches or several connector families. Only the selected 2.54mm female-header variant belongs to the core scope. The collection also contains DIP IC sockets, shrouded IDC box headers and 2.54mm screw-terminal products; these share pitch-related search terms but are mechanically different from open female socket strips.
Compatibility and Application Boundaries
These sockets are used in prototyping, replaceable modules, development boards, test fixtures, PCB stacking and internal board interconnects. References to Arduino, Raspberry Pi, JTAG, ISP, IDC, shields, HATs or PC/104 describe common search contexts, not a universal fit guarantee. Confirm the exact board layout, pin count, orientation and stack height.
Electrical, Material and Compliance Limits
No collection-wide 3A, 250V, contact-resistance, insulation-resistance, temperature, mating-cycle, plating, PA66, UL94, RoHS, REACH, CE or reflow claim is supported across all products. Gold-colored, gold-flash, tin-plated and other finishes appear in individual listings, but finish and thickness must be verified for the selected variant.
Determine operating limits from the exact contact, mating post, PCB, number of loaded circuits, ambient temperature and assembly process. Validate samples before production.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 2.54mm the same as 0.1 inch?
Yes. It describes the center-to-center contact spacing.
Will every 2.54mm female header mate with every 2.54mm male header?
No. Post geometry, row spacing, mating depth, body clearance and orientation must match.
What does PH mean?
In these listings it generally identifies plastic-body height, but verify the product drawing because naming conventions vary.
Are all female headers stackable?
No. Stackable versions require extended pass-through tails; a standard PCB tail is not equivalent.
Are all products rated 3A at 250V?
No. Ratings vary by the exact component and operating conditions.
Does a PC/104 label guarantee system compliance?
No. It describes a common header format or search context. Verify the complete mechanical and electrical specification.
Ordering Checklist
Confirm pitch, rows, positions per row, square or round contact, male-post dimensions, straight/right-angle/SMT/bottom-entry mounting, PCB footprint, body height, mating depth, tail length, stack height, plating option, package contents and required ratings.
