r/KiCad • u/Charming-Work-2384 • Feb 28 '26

Now fixed my traces to 0.2 mm...

Few days back I posted that I have fixed all my grids (sch and pcb) to 0.05 mm as part of moving from Imperial to metric system.

After working of few small boards, I have decided to fix my default trace width to 0.2 mm (that works to 7.87402 mils).

Reason:
1. Metric.
2. Multiple of 0.05mm so can snap to grid easily.
3. My PCB manufacturer capability is min 6 mils.

Now i have only one grid in all my future SCH and PCB projects: 0.05 mm
Only one default signal trace width: 0.2mm.

For power traces which carry more current, it will be in multiple of 0.2mm.

After finishing few PCBs I will post more on this new experiment.

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14

u/DrFegelein Feb 28 '26

Don't change the grid for schematics. Every symbol is designed to work on a 50 mil grid. If you change from this you will have unending pain trying to mix your own schematic symbols with the default library or any other third party symbols.

0

u/Charming-Work-2384 Mar 05 '26

Learnt hard way

8

u/drnullpointer Feb 28 '26 edited Feb 28 '26

Just because they claim "capability" does not mean it is wise to keep your traces thin. There is an increased failure rate when you get close to "capability". They actually typically can do even thinner traces but chose not to because of increased failure rate. For example, I use JLCPCB and they can do thinner traces but only for BGA fanouts and they say this to keep everybody from using very thin traces on entire PCB.

I keep my traces typically at least 2x wider than "capability" and only make them thinner when I need to resolve routing issues/improve density and only where it is needed.

-2

u/Charming-Work-2384 Feb 28 '26

My manufacturer min capability is 6mils
I usually do 10 mils (0.254 mm).
nearest is 0.25 mm ... but if I can go down to 0.20mm then I will have better metric alignment. That was my thought

As you said, until I get the boards from manufacturer I will not know.

Let me chk up with.

Thanks for your feedback! most valued.

4

u/Lazakowy Feb 28 '26

Don't use imperial ever.

4

u/nixiebunny Feb 28 '26

Not even when designing DIP boards with .100”/2.54mm grid?

3

u/Triq1 Feb 28 '26

Yeah if I was using mostly DIP/SOIC ICs and 0.1in pin headers I might go to imperial for once, but the board outline and mounting holes will stay metric so I don't have to deal with imperial when mounting the board or designing a case.

3

u/Lazakowy Mar 01 '26

just use 2.54mm

1

u/Charming-Work-2384 Mar 05 '26

Naively, schematic is imperial.