PCB Board Weight Calculator

Calculator Inputs

Board length

Board width

Dimension unit

Board thickness

Thickness unit

Board quantity

Cutout or slot area (%)

Panel or process allowance (%)

Laminate density (g/cm³)

Outer copper layers

Inner copper layers

Outer copper weight (oz/ft²)

Inner copper weight (oz/ft²)

Outer copper coverage (%)

Inner copper coverage (%)

Plated hole count

Average hole diameter (mm)

Hole plating thickness (µm)

Solder mask sides

Solder mask thickness (µm)

Solder mask coverage (%)

Solder mask density (g/cm³)

Surface finish sides

Finish thickness (µm)

Finish coverage (%)

Finish density (g/cm³)

Component count

Average component weight (g)

Extra hardware weight (g)

Formula Used

The calculator estimates each material as a volume and then converts that volume into mass.

Area = length × width × (1 − cutout percentage)
Substrate mass = area × board thickness × laminate density
Copper thickness = copper weight × 34.798 µm
Copper mass = area × copper thickness × layer count × copper coverage × copper density
Plated hole copper = π × hole diameter × board thickness × plating thickness × hole count × copper density
Mask or finish mass = area × sides × thickness × coverage × density
Assembled weight = bare board weight + component weight + hardware weight
Batch weight = assembled weight × quantity × allowance factor

Copper density is treated as 8.96 g/cm³. Other densities are entered by the user for flexible estimates.

How to Use This Calculator

Enter the board length and width.
Select the dimension unit used in your drawing.
Add board thickness and laminate density.
Enter outer and inner copper layer details.
Add hole plating, mask, finish, and component data.
Press the calculate button.
Review the result above the form.
Use CSV or PDF download for documentation.

Example Data Table

Example	Size	Thickness	Layers	Copper	Typical Use
Small sensor board	50 × 30 mm	1.0 mm	2	1 oz outer	IoT module
Control board	100 × 80 mm	1.6 mm	4	1 oz outer, 0.5 oz inner	Embedded controller
Power board	160 × 120 mm	2.0 mm	6	2 oz outer, 1 oz inner	Power electronics

About PCB Board Weight

Why Board Mass Matters

PCB weight affects shipping, mounting, enclosure design, vibration loads, and product cost. A small control board may only weigh a few grams. A large power board can add notable mass to a system. The total comes from several materials. The base laminate usually gives the largest share. Copper layers, solder mask, finish, holes, and mounted parts add more weight.

The calculator separates those items. This helps engineers see what drives the final number. It also helps buyers compare panel options before ordering. Length and width define the board area. Thickness and laminate density define the core material. Copper weight defines trace thickness. Coverage tells how much copper remains after etching. More layers and higher coverage increase mass quickly.

Common Estimation Method

A practical estimate treats the board as stacked volumes. Each volume equals area times thickness. Mass equals volume times density. FR4 density is often near 1.85 grams per cubic centimeter. Copper density is much higher. It is near 8.96 grams per cubic centimeter. That is why heavy copper designs change weight strongly.

Plated holes are handled as small copper cylinders. Their wall area uses hole circumference, board thickness, and plating thickness. This is still an estimate. Real boards have slots, bevels, routed edges, voids, and local copper balance. Component weights also vary by package and vendor.

Best Use Cases

Use this tool during early design checks. It is helpful for panel planning, product weight budgets, and freight estimates. It also supports quick comparisons. You can test thinner laminates, extra layers, or lower copper coverage. The result can guide mechanical reviews before final drawings are released.

For production, confirm the value with your fabricator. Ask for stackup, panel drawing, copper balancing, and assembly bill weights. Those details can improve accuracy. Keep units consistent. Enter realistic coverage values. Include components only when you need assembled board weight. Export the results when you want a simple record for purchasing, quality, or documentation. Always treat the answer as an engineering estimate. Measure unusual boards when possible. Weigh a prototype and compare it with the calculation. Then adjust density, coverage, or component mass. This creates a better standard for future projects and product families.

FAQs

1. What does this PCB board weight calculator estimate?

It estimates bare and assembled board weight. It includes laminate, copper layers, plated holes, solder mask, surface finish, components, hardware, quantity, and allowance.

2. Is the result exact for manufacturing?

No. It is an engineering estimate. Exact weight depends on final stackup, routed shape, copper balance, fabrication process, finish type, component packages, and assembly materials.

3. What density should I use for FR4?

A common FR4 estimate is 1.85 g/cm³. Your supplier may use a different laminate density, so update the value when better stackup data is available.

4. Why does copper coverage matter?

Coverage estimates how much copper remains after etching. A solid plane weighs more than sparse signal routing, especially on heavy copper or multilayer boards.

5. What is one ounce copper thickness?

The calculator treats one ounce copper as 34.798 microns thick. This is a common engineering conversion for copper weight per square foot.

6. Should I include components?

Include components when you need assembled board weight. Leave component values at zero when you only need the fabricated bare board weight.

7. How are plated holes calculated?

Each plated hole is estimated as a thin copper cylinder. The formula uses hole diameter, board thickness, plating thickness, hole count, and copper density.

8. Why add a panel or process allowance?

Allowance helps estimate extra mass from panel rails, scrap, packing assumptions, or planning margin. Set it to zero for only finished board quantity.