📡 PCB Impedance Calculator
Calculate characteristic impedance for common PCB transmission line structures. Based on IPC-2141A and Wadell formulae.
Substrate Presets
Microstrip
Trace on top of dielectric, ground plane below.
Used for outer-layer signal routing.
Formula (IPC-2141A):
Z₀ = (87/√(εr+1.41)) × ln(5.98H/(0.8W+T))
⚠ Enter positive values for W, H, and εr.
Embedded Microstrip
Trace is covered by a dielectric layer above (e.g. soldermask or prepreg). Ground plane below.
Formula:
εr_eff = εr × (1 − e^(−1.55 × B/H))
Z₀ = (87/√(εr_eff+1.41)) × ln(5.98H/(0.8W+T))
⚠ Enter positive values for all fields.
Stripline (Symmetric)
Trace is embedded between two ground planes, centred in the dielectric.
Formula (IPC-2141A):
Z₀ = (60/√εr) × ln(4B / (0.67π(0.8W+T)))
where B = distance between ground planes.
⚠ Enter positive values for all fields.
Differential Pair — Microstrip
Two coupled microstrip traces. Differential impedance is the impedance seen between the two conductors.
Formula:
Zdiff ≈ 2 × Z₀ × (1 − 0.347 × e^(−2.9 × S/H))
where Z₀ is single-ended microstrip impedance.
⚠ Enter positive values for all fields.
Differential Pair — Stripline
Two coupled traces embedded between ground planes.
Formula:
Zdiff ≈ 2 × Z₀ × (1 − 0.347 × e^(−2.9 × S/B))
where Z₀ is single-ended stripline impedance.
⚠ Enter positive values for all fields.
Common Target Impedances
| Protocol / Use | Z (single-ended) | Zdiff |
| General signal | 50 Ω | — |
| USB 2.0 | — | 90 Ω |
| USB 3.x / USB4 | — | 85–90 Ω |
| HDMI / DisplayPort | — | 100 Ω |
| PCIe | — | 85 Ω |
| Ethernet (100M/1G) | — | 100 Ω |
| DDR memory (data) | 40–60 Ω | — |
| RF / microwave coax | 50 Ω | — |
| Video / 75 Ω systems | 75 Ω | — |
| RS-422 / RS-485 | — | 120 Ω |
| CAN bus | — | 120 Ω |