1.6mm FR4 PCB Board – Most Common Thickness

1.6mm FR4 PCB Board – most common industry standard thickness
1.6mm (0.063″) – equivalent to 1/16 inch (standard for most applications)
Highest availability – stocked by every PCB manufacturer
Lowest cost – most economical thickness due to volume
Proven mechanical strength – rigid, resists bending and vibration
Industry standard connectors – fits PCIe, Eurocard, standard card guides
Works for 2 to 12+ layers – suitable for any layer count
Fastest turnaround – always in stock, no material delays
Compatible with all finishes – ENIG, HASL, OSP, Immersion Silver
100% electrical test – ISO9001 certified

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1.6mm FR4 PCB Board – Most Common Thickness

The 1.6mm FR4 PCB Board (0.063 inches, also known as 1/16 inch) is the global industry standard thickness for printed circuit boards.

For engineers and PCB designers, 1.6mm is the default choice unless there is a specific reason to use a thinner or thicker board. Because it is the most widely used thickness globally, it offers significant advantages in cost, availability, and manufacturing speed.

Why 1.6mm is the Industry Standard

Reason	Explanation
Historical precedent	Derived from 1/16″ (0.0625″) standard in early electronics
Mechanical strength	Rigid enough for most connector types and handling
Component support	Sufficient thickness for standard through-hole components
Connector compatibility	PCIe, Eurocard, and many edge connectors designed for 1.6mm
Manufacturing ubiquity	Every PCB fabricator stocks this material
Lowest cost	High volume = lowest material cost

Why Choose 1.6mm?

Advantage	Benefit
Lowest cost	Most economical thickness – material always in stock, no special setup
Fastest turnaround	Prototype lead times are shortest for 1.6mm
Highest availability	No material procurement delays
Proven mechanical strength	Rigid – withstands vibration, shock, handling
Industry standard connectors	Fits PCIe, Eurocard, standard card guides without modification
Compatible with all layer counts	Works from 2 layers to 12+ layers
Compatible with all finishes	ENIG, HASL, OSP, Immersion Silver

How Thickness Affects Mechanical Properties

Thickness	Rigidity	Flexibility	Typical Applications
0.6mm	Moderate	Some flex	Wearables, thin devices, tight spaces
0.8mm	Good	Minor flex	Smartphones, tablets, thin consumer
1.0mm	Good	Very little	Laptops, compact industrial
1.2mm	Very Good	None	Standard consumer, industrial
1.6mm	Excellent	None	Most applications (default)
2.0mm	Very rigid	None	Heavy components, high vibration
2.4mm+	Extremely rigid	None	High power, heavy connectors

Connector Compatibility

Many industry standard connectors and card formats are specifically designed for 1.6mm boards:

Connector / Format	Designed Thickness
PCI Express (PCIe)	1.6mm ±10% (1.44-1.76mm)
Eurocard (DIN 41612)	1.6mm
VME / VXI bus	1.6mm
CompactPCI	1.6mm
PC/104	1.6mm
USB / HDMI connectors (through-hole)	1.6mm recommended
SMT connectors (general)	1.6mm – rigid for pick-and-place

Note: If you are using edge connectors or card guides, 1.6mm is the safest choice unless your specific connector requires a different thickness.

Thickness Comparison – 1.6mm vs. Others

Thickness	mm	inches	Best For
0.6mm	0.6	0.024″	Wearables, thin devices, flex-rigid
0.8mm	0.8	0.031″	Smartphones, tablets
1.0mm	1.0	0.039″	Laptops, compact industrial
1.2mm	1.2	0.047″	Consumer electronics
1.6mm	1.6	0.063″	Most applications – DEFAULT
2.0mm	2.0	0.079″	Heavy components, high vibration
2.4mm	2.4	0.094″	High power, heavy copper

When NOT to Use 1.6mm

Scenario	Better Thickness	Why
Wearable device	0.6-0.8mm	Too thick, heavy for wrist
Extremely thin smartphone	0.8-1.0mm	1.6mm too thick for thin chassis
HDI / BGA dense design	1.0-1.2mm	Thinner = easier laser drilling
Very high frequency (RF)	Determined by stackup	Electrical performance priority
High current / heavy copper	2.0-2.4mm	Supports thick copper, heavier traces
Heavy component support	2.0-2.4mm	Large transformers, connectors need more rigidity
High vibration environment	2.0mm+	Thicker = stiffer = less flex damage

Technical Specifications for 1.6mm FR4 PCB Board

Parameter	Capability
Board thickness	1.6mm (0.063″, 1/16″) – industry standard
Tolerance	±10% (IPC Class 2) – typically ±0.13-0.16mm
Layer count	2 to 12+ layers
Base material	FR4 (Standard TG or High TG 170°C)
Copper weight	1 oz standard (2-6 oz available)
Min trace width/spacing	4 mil / 4 mil (3 mil available)
Min drill size	0.20mm
Surface finish	ENIG, HASL Lead-Free, OSP, Immersion Silver
Solder mask color	Green (standard), Blue, Red, Black, White, Yellow
Silkscreen color	White (standard), Black, Yellow
Aspect ratio	10:1 (board thickness : smallest drill diameter)
Inspection	100% AOI + electrical test

1.6mm Aspect Ratio for Vias

Aspect ratio = Board thickness / Drill diameter.

With 1.6mm board thickness:

0.20mm drill: Aspect ratio 8:1 (within standard capability)
0.25mm drill: Aspect ratio 6.4:1 (very comfortable)
0.30mm drill: Aspect ratio 5.3:1 (extremely reliable)

Recommendation: For high reliability, use 0.25mm or larger drill with 1.6mm thickness.

Applications for 1.6mm FR4 PCB Board

Application	Why 1.6mm is Suitable
Industrial controls (PLCs, HMIs)	Rigid for DIN rail mounting, card guides
Consumer electronics	Cost-effective, proven reliability
Automotive modules (non-safety)	Good vibration resistance
Power supplies	Handles component weight + heat
Test & measurement equipment	Rigid for bench equipment
Telecom equipment	Fits standard card cages, connectors
Medical devices (non-implantable)	Reliable, standard connector fit
IoT gateways / hubs	Rigid enough for connectors
Development / evaluation boards	Industry standard – fits enclosures
Arduino / Raspberry Pi shields	1.6mm is the shield standard

Standard vs. 1.6mm – No Difference vs. Other Thicknesses

Property	1.6mm	Any Thickness	Difference?
Electrical performance	Same	Same (impedance depends on stackup, not total thickness)	No
FR4 material	Same	Same	No
Surface finish options	Same	Same	No
Solder mask	Same	Same	No
Copper weight support	Same	Same	No
Manufacturing quality	Same	Same	No
Price	Lowest	Higher (thinner/thicker more costly)	Yes – 1.6mm cheapest
Lead time	Fastest	Slower (special material orders)	Yes – 1.6mm fastest

The only differences: 1.6mm is cheaper, faster, and more available – same electrical performance.

Why Manufacture Your 1.6mm FR4 PCB Board With Us?

Feature	What You Get
Industry standard thickness	1.6mm – most common board thickness
Lowest cost	Most economical thickness due to volume
Fastest turnaround	Material always in stock, no delays
2 to 12+ layers	Any complexity
All surface finishes	ENIG, HASL Lead-Free, OSP, Immersion Silver
High TG available	170°C for lead-free assembly (on request)
Heavy copper available	Up to 6 oz (on request)
Controlled impedance	Available (on request)

Order Process for 1.6mm FR4 PCB Board

Upload your Gerber files
1.6mm thickness confirmed – default unless specified
Fabrication – fastest lead times (material in stock)
100% electrical test
Secure shipping

Tip: If you don’t specify thickness, 1.6mm will be used by default at most PCB manufacturers worldwide.

Q1: Is 1.6mm always the best thickness choice?

A: For most applications, yes. 1.6mm is the default industry standard. It offers the best combination of rigidity, connector compatibility, availability, and lowest cost.

Use different thickness if:

Thinner needed – Wearables, thin consumer devices, space-constrained enclosures
Thicker needed – Heavy components, high vibration, high current / heavy copper

If unsure, default to 1.6mm.

Q2: Is 1.6mm more expensive than other thicknesses?

A: No – 1.6mm is typically the cheapest thickness. Reason: highest volume production. Material manufacturers stock 1.6mm in highest quantity.

General cost ranking (same board specs):
1.6mm = cheapest, then 1.2mm/2.0mm +5-15%, then 0.8mm/2.4mm +10-25%, then 0.6mm +20-40%, custom thicknesses = highest cost.

Q3: Can 1.6mm be used for flexible PCBs?

A: No – 1.6mm is rigid FR4. For flexible circuits, use Flexible PCB (FPC) with polyimide material (typical thickness 0.1-0.3mm). 1.6mm is for rigid boards only.

Q4: Does 1.6mm affect impedance control?

A: Not directly. Impedance depends on:

Trace width and spacing
Dielectric thickness (distance to reference plane)
Dielectric constant (Dk)

Total board thickness (1.6mm) can be achieved with different stackups (e.g., 0.8mm core + prepreg + 0.8mm core). We will design appropriate stackup for your impedance requirements while maintaining 1.6mm total thickness.

Q5: Can 1.6mm board fit into standard card guides?

A: Yes – card guides are designed for 1.6mm thickness (0.063″).

Card Guide Type	Designed Thickness
PCIe / PCI	1.6mm
Eurocard (DIN 41612)	1.6mm
VME / VXI	1.6mm
CompactPCI	1.6mm
PC/104	1.6mm
Proprietary card guides	Check specifications – most default to 1.6mm

If using 1.6mm, you are safe for almost all card guide systems.

Q6: What drill sizes can be used with 1.6mm thickness?

A: Aspect ratio = board thickness / drill diameter. Max recommended aspect ratio: 10:1.

Drill Diameter	Aspect Ratio (1.6mm board)	Feasibility
0.20mm	8:1	Acceptable
0.25mm	6.4:1	Recommended
0.30mm	5.3:1	Very reliable
0.40mm+	4:1 or less	Excellent reliability

Recommendation: Use 0.25mm or larger drill for high reliability, especially for production volumes.

Q7: What is thickness tolerance for 1.6mm?

A: Per IPC-6012 Class 2: ±10%. For 1.6mm: tolerance = ±0.16mm (1.44mm – 1.76mm).

Requirement	Typical Tolerance
Standard (IPC Class 2)	±10%
Tight tolerance	±5-8% (available on request)
High volume production control	Typically ±0.10-0.13mm

Most manufacturers consistently achieve ±0.10-0.13mm despite IPC’s ±10% allowance.

Q8: What is lead time for 1.6mm FR4 PCBs?

A: Fastest lead times due to material availability.

Quantity	Typical Lead Time
Prototypes (1-20 pieces)	3-5 working days
Small batch (21-500 pieces)	5-7 working days
Medium volume (501-5,000 pieces)	7-10 working days
Mass production (5,000+ pieces)	8-12 working days

1.6mm typically saves 1-2 days vs. non-standard thickness.

Q9: Can I make a 1.6mm board with very high layer count (12+ layers)?

A: Yes, 1.6mm works for high layer counts. But each layer requires thin prepreg and core materials. For 12+ layers at 1.6mm, each layer is very thin – possible but impedance control may be tighter. For very high layer counts (>12 layers), 1.6mm is acceptable. Consult us for stackup design.

Q10: Does 1.6mm work for SMT assembly?

A: Yes, 1.6mm is ideal for SMT assembly. Rigidity provides stable support for pick-and-place machines. Most SMT assembly houses design their conveyors and support pins for 1.6mm thickness (or adjustable for 0.6-2.4mm range). 1.6mm works perfectly for SMT.

Shipping Terms

Shipping costs are paid by the buyer.
We normally ship via DHL, UPS, FedEx, or TNT.
Alternatively, you may provide your own courier account or arrange delivery to your freight forwarder in China.

For large-volume orders, sea freight is available.

Delivery to Port (FOB Terms)

When shipping to a port, Tengxinjie is responsible for transporting the goods to the departure port.
All customs clearance, ocean freight, insurance, and onward transportation after that point are the responsibility of the buyer.

Tengxinjie can recommend reliable local freight forwarders upon request.
With the buyer’s authorization, Tengxinjie may also assist in coordinating shipping, with all related costs charged to the buyer.

Notice

The above shipping information is for reference only.
Tracking details and shipment updates will be provided once the order has been dispatched.

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1.6mm FR4 PCB Board – Most Common Thickness