{"id":1521,"date":"2026-09-17T08:06:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T00:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.han-sphere.com\/?p=1521"},"modified":"2026-09-01T15:36:57","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T07:36:57","slug":"pcb-hole-size","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.han-sphere.com\/de\/blog\/news\/pcb-hole-size\/","title":{"rendered":"Auswahl der richtigen Lochgr\u00f6\u00dfe auf der Leiterplatte f\u00fcr Durchsteckbauteile"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When designing a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), one of the most critical considerations is the sizing of holes for through-hole components. The PCB hole size you choose directly impacts the ease of assembly, the reliability of the solder joints, and the overall mechanical stability of the final product. Choosing a hole that is too small can make it impossible to insert components, while a hole that is too large can lead to weak solder joints, poor electrical connectivity, and component misalignment. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve deeply into the intricacies of selecting the optimal PCB hole size for your through-hole components to ensure a flawless manufacturing process.<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.han-sphere.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/hole_size_1_1785482121289-comp.jpg\" style=\"display: block; margin: 0 auto; max-width: 600px; height: auto;\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Understanding Through-Hole Technology<\/h2>\n<p>Through-hole technology (THT) involves drilling holes through a printed circuit board and inserting the leads of components such as resistors, capacitors, and integrated circuits through these holes. These leads are then soldered to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.han-sphere.com\/blog\/news\/pcb-pad-design\/\">pads<\/a> on the opposite side of the board. Despite the widespread adoption of Surface Mount Technology (SMT), through-hole components remain essential for applications requiring strong mechanical bonds, high power handling capabilities, or when specific components are only available in through-hole packages. The integrity of these connections hinges significantly on the precise calculation and specification of the PCB hole size.<\/p>\n<h2>Key Factors Influencing PCB Hole Size Selection<\/h2>\n<p>Several critical factors must be taken into account when determining the appropriate PCB hole size for a given component:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Component Lead Diameter or Shape:<\/strong> The primary driving factor is the physical dimension of the component&#8217;s lead. Leads can be round, square, or rectangular. The hole must be large enough to accommodate the maximum tolerance of the lead.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Plating Thickness:<\/strong> For Plated Through-Holes (PTH), the manufacturer will apply a layer of copper (and usually a surface finish) to the inside walls of the drilled hole. This plating reduces the effective diameter of the hole. Therefore, the drill size must be larger than the final finished hole size required by the component.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Manufacturing Tolerances:<\/strong> PCB manufacturers have specific tolerances for both the drilling process and the plating process. These tolerances must be factored into your calculations to guarantee the component will always fit, even in the worst-case scenario.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Soldering Process:<\/strong> Automated soldering processes like wave soldering require adequate capillary action for the molten solder to flow up through the hole and form a strong fillet. A hole that is too tight can restrict this flow, while a hole that is too loose might allow the solder to drain out before solidifying.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.han-sphere.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/hole_size_2_1785482137358-comp.jpg\" style=\"display: block; margin: 0 auto; max-width: 600px; height: auto;\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<h2 itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/HowTo\">\n<span itemprop=\"name\">How to Calculate the Correct PCB Hole Size<\/span><br \/>\n<\/h2>\n<p itemprop=\"description\">Calculating the right PCB hole size requires a systematic approach to ensure optimal fit and solderability. Follow these steps to determine the correct dimensions.<\/p>\n<div itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/HowTo\">\n<div itemprop=\"step\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/HowToStep\">\n<h3 itemprop=\"name\">Step 1: Determine the Maximum Lead Dimension<\/h3>\n<div itemprop=\"text\">\n            Check the component datasheet to find the maximum possible diameter of the lead (or the diagonal for square\/rectangular leads). Always use the maximum tolerance value provided by the manufacturer. If the lead is rectangular (width W, thickness T), the maximum diagonal is calculated as \u221a(W\u00b2 + T\u00b2).\n        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div itemprop=\"step\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/HowToStep\">\n<h3 itemprop=\"name\">Step 2: Add the Minimum Clearance<\/h3>\n<div itemprop=\"text\">\n            Add a clearance value to the maximum lead dimension to allow for easy insertion and proper solder flow. A standard rule of thumb is to add 0.25mm (10 mils) for Level A (General Design Producibility), 0.20mm (8 mils) for Level B (Moderate Design Producibility), and 0.15mm (6 mils) for Level C (High Design Producibility). This sum gives you the required Finished Hole Size (FHS).\n        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div itemprop=\"step\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/HowToStep\">\n<h3 itemprop=\"name\">Step 3: Account for Plating Thickness (for Drill Size)<\/h3>\n<div itemprop=\"text\">\n            If you need to specify the raw drill size to your manufacturer, add the plating thickness to your calculated Finished Hole Size. Standard plating typically reduces the hole diameter by about 0.10mm to 0.15mm (4 to 6 mils). Therefore, Drill Size = FHS + Plating Allowance. (Note: Many modern EDA tools only require you to specify the Finished Hole Size, and the fab house calculates the necessary over-drill).\n        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div itemprop=\"step\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/HowToStep\">\n<h3 itemprop=\"name\">Step 4: Verify Annular Ring Requirements<\/h3>\n<div itemprop=\"text\">\n            Ensure the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.han-sphere.com\/blog\/news\/pcb-copper-pour\/\">copper pad<\/a> surrounding the hole (the annular ring) is large enough. The minimum annular ring is typically specified by your manufacturer (e.g., 0.15mm or 6 mils). The pad diameter should be at least: Finished Hole Size + (2 \u00d7 Minimum Annular Ring) + Manufacturing Tolerance.\n        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>The Importance of the Annular Ring<\/h2>\n<p>Die <a href=\"https:\/\/www.han-sphere.com\/blog\/news\/pcb-annular-ring\/\">annular ring<\/a> is the area of the copper pad that surrounds the drilled and plated hole. A robust annular ring is crucial for the structural integrity of the pad and for ensuring a reliable connection between the component lead and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.han-sphere.com\/blog\/news\/pcb-trace-width\/\">PCB traces<\/a>. If the drill wanders slightly during manufacturing (drill registration error), a too-small annular ring can result in a breakout, where the hole breaches the edge of the pad. This can cause open circuits or unreliable connections. Always consult your PCB manufacturer&#8217;s capabilities to determine the minimum acceptable annular ring size and design your pads accordingly.<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.han-sphere.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/hole_size_3_1785482144704-comp.jpg\" style=\"display: block; margin: 0 auto; max-width: 600px; height: auto;\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<h2>H\u00e4ufig gestellte Fragen<\/h2>\n<div itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/FAQPage\">\n<div itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Question\">\n<h3 itemprop=\"name\">What happens if a PCB hole size is too small?<\/h3>\n<div itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\">\n<div itemprop=\"text\">\n                If the PCB hole size is too small, the component leads will be difficult or impossible to insert. Forcing components into tight holes can damage the component, strip the plating from the inside of the hole, or bend the PCB.\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Question\">\n<h3 itemprop=\"name\">What happens if a PCB hole size is too large?<\/h3>\n<div itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\">\n<div itemprop=\"text\">\n                If the PCB hole size is too large, the component may not sit straight during assembly. Furthermore, the large gap makes it difficult for solder to bridge the space between the lead and the pad through capillary action, leading to weak or voided solder joints and poor mechanical stability.\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Question\">\n<h3 itemprop=\"name\">What is the difference between NPTH and PTH?<\/h3>\n<div itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\">\n<div itemprop=\"text\">\n                PTH (Plated Through-Hole) has copper plating on the walls of the hole, allowing for electrical connections between <a href=\"https:\/\/www.han-sphere.com\/blog\/news\/a-step-by-step-guide-to-designing-a-4-layer-pcb-stackup\/\">different layers of the PCB<\/a>. NPTH (Non-Plated Through-Hole) has no copper plating and is typically used for mechanical mounting holes or alignment pins.\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Schlussfolgerung<\/h2>\n<p>Mastering the art of selecting the correct PCB hole size is a fundamental skill for any hardware designer. By meticulously reviewing component datasheets, understanding manufacturing tolerances, and following industry best practices for clearances and annular rings, you can ensure that your through-hole components assemble smoothly and perform reliably for the lifetime of the product. Taking the time to calculate these dimensions accurately during the design phase will save you immense time, cost, and frustration during manufacturing and testing.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When designing a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), one of the most critical considerations is the sizing of holes for through-hole components. The PCB hole size you choose directly impacts the ease of assembly, the reliability of the solder joints, and the overall mechanical stability of the final product. Choosing a hole that is too small&#8230;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[129,26,130],"class_list":["post-1521","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-hole-size","tag-pcb-manufacturing","tag-through-hole"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Selecting the Right PCB Hole Size for Through Hole Components<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A comprehensive guide on selecting the right PCB 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