PCB Trace Width Calculator | IPC-2221 & IPC-2152 Based

Actual PCB current capability is affected by many factors, including material lot variations, copper roughness, stack-up, via and pad heat-sinking, forced-air or natural convection, adjacent heat sources, and manufacturing tolerances.

This tool cannot account for every variable; calculated results may deviate significantly from real measurements. Always verify compliance with product safety standards and industry requirements, and make final decisions based on your specific needs.

Compared to IPC-2221, IPC-2152 incorporates additional factors influencing PCB current capacity. I personally prefer IPC-2152. Annex A.4.4 notes that, in still air, inner-layer traces can outperform outer-layer traces in heat dissipation because the thermal conductivity of FR-4 is much higher than that of air. This explains why IPC-2221’s inner-layer calculations differ greatly from those of IPC-2152.

This PCB trace-width calculator is based on published equations and experimental data from IPC-2221 and IPC-2152. It is intended only for quick, early-stage estimation of trace current-carrying capacity and temperature rise. Click for more details.