Quick Answer
PCB weight (more precisely, board mass) is the volume of the finished board multiplied by its material density: length × width × thickness × density, with units reconciled. A typical 1.6 mm FR-4 board at a density of about 1.85 g/cm³ weighs roughly 0.296 g per cm² — so a 100 × 100 mm board is about 30 g. Copper adds a small amount, and density varies with resin, glass and filler content. Use the calculator below for a fast estimate; for weight-critical parts, confirm with the actual board or the laminate datasheet.
PCB Weight Calculator
Enter finished board dimensions. Values are engineering estimates based on nominal density, not a shipping-grade measurement. The grades these numbers apply to are in the material grades these numbers apply to, and the selection guide covers selection.
Important: the estimate treats the board as a uniform slab of the chosen density. Real boards vary with resin/glass/filler content, copper coverage and layer build, so treat the result as a planning figure and confirm weight-critical parts by weighing the finished board.
PCB Weight Chart: Typical Board Mass by Size and Thickness
| Board size (mm) | 1.0 mm | 1.6 mm | 2.0 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 × 50 | 4.6 g | 7.4 g | 9.3 g |
| 100 × 100 | 18.5 g | 29.6 g | 37.0 g |
| 100 × 150 | 27.8 g | 44.4 g | 55.5 g |
| 200 × 300 | 111 g | 178 g | 222 g |
| Panel 457 × 610 | 516 g | 825 g | 1,032 g |
Estimates at FR-4 density 1.85 g/cm³, nominal dimensions, excluding components and finish. Copper-heavy builds weigh a little more; thinner or high-resin builds can weigh a little less.
Material Density Reference
| Material | Typical density (g/cm³) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FR-4 | 1.85 | Standard glass-reinforced epoxy; range ~1.8–1.9 |
| High-Tg FR-4 | 1.85 | Similar density, higher glass-transition temperature |
| Polyimide (PI) | 1.42 | Flexible and high-temperature builds |
| PTFE / RF laminate | 2.20 | Microwave and RF substrates |
| Aluminum metal-core (IMS) | 2.70 | Dominated by the aluminum core |
| Copper (reference) | 8.96 | For the copper-content estimate |
Densities are typical literature values for planning. Resin content, glass style and filler shift the real value — use the laminate datasheet for weight-critical work.
Board Weight vs Copper Weight (oz): Two Different Things
The phrase “PCB weight” is often confused with the copper weight printed on a fab drawing. They are not the same measurement:
| Term | What it means | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Board weight / mass | Total mass of the finished board | g, oz, kg, lb |
| Copper weight | Thickness of a copper layer, expressed by foil area weight | oz/ft² (1 oz ≈ 35 µm) |
Because copper is only a thin fraction of the board, the copper layers change total mass by a small amount — but the copper weight designation says nothing about how heavy the finished board is. Use the calculator above for mass, and the PCB thickness calculator for the Z-dimension and copper-to-thickness conversion.
Why PCB Weight Matters
Board mass feeds several practical decisions: shipping and freight cost by weight for panels and finished boards, panel handling and machine loading depend on stack mass, and mounting and vibration load in the final assembly scale with board weight. For drilling-material users, panel mass and total drilling-stack weight influence how the machine handles the load, while bonded stacks and heavier builds affect drill engagement and chip evacuation — which is where stable entry boards and a matched backup board grade matter.
PCB Weight Reference Map
FAQ
How much does a PCB weigh?
For a common 1.6 mm FR-4 board, mass is roughly 0.296 g per cm² of board area. A 100 × 100 mm board is about 30 g, a 100 × 150 mm board about 44 g, and a 200 × 300 mm board about 178 g. Thinner boards are lighter, and 2 oz-heavy builds are slightly heavier than the estimate because copper is denser than laminate.
How do I calculate PCB weight?
Multiply board length × width × thickness to get volume, then multiply by the material density: mass = length (mm) × width (mm) × thickness (mm) × density (g/cm³) ÷ 1000. For example, 100 × 100 × 1.6 mm FR-4 at 1.85 g/cm³ is 29.6 g.
Is PCB weight the same as copper weight (oz)?
No. Copper weight in oz/ft² describes the thickness of a copper layer, not the mass of the whole board. 1 oz/ft² copper is about 0.035 mm (35 µm) thick. Total board mass depends on the area, thickness and density of the entire laminate, with copper as only a small fraction of the weight.
What density should I use for FR-4?
Standard FR-4 is commonly taken as about 1.85 g/cm³ (typical range 1.8–1.9 g/cm³). Resin content, glass style and filler can shift the value, so use the laminate datasheet density where an accurate mass is required.
Why does PCB weight matter?
Board mass drives shipping cost, panel and handling logistics, vibration and mounting load in the assembly, and — for drilling-material users — the panel mass and stack weight the drilling machine handles. Heavier, denser stacks also change drill engagement and chip evacuation conditions.
Technical References
- IPC — rigid printed-board performance standards: IPC-6012 covers qualification and performance requirements for rigid printed boards.
- Altium — PCB layer stackup considerations: layer count, dielectric structure and material context that affect board build.
- Cadence — Standard PCB Thickness and Optimization: background on common thicknesses and design trade-offs.
External references provide standards and design context only. Densities and dimensions should be confirmed with the laminate datasheet and the board manufacturer.