{"id":60,"date":"2026-07-05T14:53:27","date_gmt":"2026-07-05T06:53:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.modamoder.com\/blog\/?p=60"},"modified":"2026-07-05T14:53:27","modified_gmt":"2026-07-05T06:53:27","slug":"what-are-the-common-sizes-of-header-connectors-4aa9-782aec","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.modamoder.com\/blog\/2026\/07\/05\/what-are-the-common-sizes-of-header-connectors-4aa9-782aec\/","title":{"rendered":"What are the common sizes of Header Connectors?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yo, what’s up! I’m a supplier of header connectors, and I’ve been in this game for quite a while. One question I get asked a lot is, "What are the common sizes of header connectors?" Well, that’s what I’m gonna talk about in this blog. Header Connector<\/a><\/p>\n

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Let’s start with the basics. Header connectors come in all sorts of sizes, and the size you need depends on your specific application. The most common way to measure a header connector is by the pitch, which is the distance between the centers of two adjacent pins.<\/p>\n

Common Pitch Sizes<\/h3>\n

2.54mm Pitch<\/h4>\n

The 2.54mm pitch is probably the most widely used pitch size in the world of header connectors. It’s also known as 0.1 inches, which is a hold – over from the days when imperial measurements were more common in the electronics industry.<\/p>\n

Why is it so popular? Well, it’s a very standard size, and a lot of printed circuit boards (PCBs) are designed to work with 2.54mm pitch headers. This makes it easy to find compatible components and to design your own PCBs. You can find 2.54mm pitch headers in all sorts of applications, from hobbyist projects to industrial equipment. They come in different pin counts, like 2 – pin, 3 – pin, all the way up to 100 – pin or more. For example, if you’re building a simple Arduino project, you’ll often use 2.54mm pitch headers to connect sensors or other external components.<\/p>\n

1.27mm Pitch<\/h4>\n

The 1.27mm pitch is half of the 2.54mm pitch. It’s a more compact option, which is great for applications where space is limited. You’ll often see 1.27mm pitch headers in consumer electronics, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops.<\/p>\n

As devices have gotten smaller and more powerful, the demand for smaller header connectors has increased. The 1.27mm pitch allows for a higher density of pins on a smaller area of the PCB. But, working with 1.27mm pitch headers can be a bit more challenging, especially for soldering. You need more precise tools and techniques to ensure a good connection.<\/p>\n

0.8mm Pitch<\/h4>\n

The 0.8mm pitch is used in even more space – constrained applications. It’s commonly found in high – end consumer electronics and some medical devices. These headers can pack a large number of pins into a very small area, which is essential for modern, miniaturized devices.<\/p>\n

However, the smaller pitch also means that the pins are closer together, which can increase the risk of short – circuits if you’re not careful during assembly. You’ll need some high – tech manufacturing processes and inspection methods to make sure everything is working properly when using 0.8mm pitch header connectors.<\/p>\n

Pin Count<\/h3>\n

Besides the pitch, the pin count is another important factor in determining the size of a header connector. Pin count refers to the number of pins on the connector.<\/p>\n

Low Pin Count Headers<\/h4>\n

Headers with a low pin count, like 2 – pin or 3 – pin headers, are used for simple connections. For example, a 2 – pin header might be used to connect a power source, where one pin is for the positive voltage and the other is for the ground. A 3 – pin header could be used to connect a sensor that requires power, ground, and a signal line.<\/p>\n

Medium Pin Count Headers<\/h4>\n

Headers with a medium pin count, say from 4 – 20 pins, are used in a wide range of applications. They can be used to connect expansion modules, communicate between different parts of a circuit board, or interface with external devices. For instance, a 10 – pin header might be used to connect a display module to a microcontroller.<\/p>\n

High Pin Count Headers<\/h4>\n

High pin count headers, with 20 pins or more, are typically used in more complex systems. They can be used for data transfer between high – end components, like FPGAs or CPUs. These headers often require careful design and placement on the PCB to ensure proper signal integrity.<\/p>\n

Connector Type and Size<\/h3>\n

Another aspect of header connector size is the type of connector. There are through – hole headers and surface – mount headers.<\/p>\n

Through – Hole Headers<\/h4>\n

Through – hole headers are larger in size compared to surface – mount headers. They have pins that go through holes in the PCB and are then soldered on the other side. Through – hole headers are more robust and can handle higher currents and mechanical stress. They’re often used in industrial applications or in products that need to be more durable.<\/p>\n

Surface – Mount Headers<\/h4>\n

Surface – mount headers, on the other hand, are smaller and are soldered directly onto the surface of the PCB. They’re more suitable for high – density circuit boards and modern, miniaturized devices. Since they don’t require holes in the PCB, they allow for more efficient use of the board space.<\/p>\n

The Importance of Choosing the Right Size<\/h3>\n

Choosing the right size of header connector is crucial. If you choose a header with the wrong pitch or pin count, it simply won’t fit your application. You could end up with a non – functional PCB or a device that doesn’t work as expected.<\/p>\n

For example, if you’re designing a small, portable device, you’ll want to use a smaller pitch and a surface – mount header to save space. On the other hand, if you’re building an industrial control system that needs to handle high currents and vibrations, you’ll probably want to go with a through – hole header with a 2.54mm pitch.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h3>\n

So, there you have it, the common sizes of header connectors. Whether it’s the 2.54mm pitch for general – purpose use, the 1.27mm or 0.8mm pitch for more compact applications, or the different pin counts for various connection needs, there’s a header connector out there for every job.<\/p>\n

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As a header connector supplier, I’ve got a wide range of sizes and types in stock. If you’re working on a project and need some header connectors, I’d love to help you find the right ones. Just reach out, and we can have a chat about your requirements. We can figure out which size and type of header connector will work best for you. So, don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’re looking to make a purchase and want to have a detailed discussion.<\/p>\n

Wire-to-Wire Connector<\/a> References<\/p>\n