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What Is PCB Copper Thickness?
PCB copper thickness refers to the depth of copper applied to the conductive layers of a printed circuit board. It determines how much electrical current a trace can safely carry, how much heat it can dissipate, and how mechanically durable the board will be.
Measurement Units:
- Ounces per square foot (oz/ft²) – the most common unit in the PCB industry
- Microns (μm) or mils – more intuitive for physical dimensions
💡 1 oz copper = 35 μm ≈ 1.4 mils
Why It Matters in PCB Design
Selecting the right copper thickness is crucial for three main reasons:
1. Current Capacity
Thicker copper traces can carry more current. This is especially important for high-power circuits such as motor controllers, power amplifiers, or industrial equipment.
2. Thermal Performance
Copper helps conduct heat away from components. Boards with thicker copper improve thermal dissipation and reduce the risk of overheating.
3. Mechanical Strength
Thick copper increases the mechanical strength of the PCB—especially in high-vibration environments or applications with frequent plug/unplug cycles.
Common Copper Thicknesses
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How to Choose the Right Copper Thickness
When selecting the copper thickness for your PCB, consider the following:
✔ Current Requirements
Use IPC-2221 or online calculators to estimate the minimum trace width based on your current and copper weight.
✔ Layer Count
In multilayer boards, inner layers often have lower copper weights to balance cost and space.
✔ Thermal Concerns
If your board will handle high power, choose a thicker copper to help dissipate heat more efficiently.
✔ Design Limitations
Thicker copper requires wider trace spacing and affects etching precision—this must be considered in your layout rules.
Can You Customize Copper Thickness?
Yes. While 1 oz copper is the industry standard, most PCB manufacturers—like PCBasic—offer custom copper weights up to 6 oz per layer for demanding applications.
At PCBasic, we support:
- 0.5 oz to 6 oz copper
- Multi-layer stackups with different copper weights per layer
- Controlled impedance designs with copper thickness factored into calculations
Final Thoughts
Understanding and choosing the right PCB copper thickness is essential for creating reliable, efficient, and long-lasting electronic products. Whether you’re building a simple sensor board or a heavy-duty power module, copper weight must match your application needs.
Want expert help optimizing copper thickness for your design? Reach out to our team and we’ll help you turn your concept into a high-performance, production-ready board.
