Altium Trace Calculator Alternative
Professional PCB Calculations | Zero Cost | Browser-Based
Need PCB trace width calculations but don't have an Altium Designer license? Our free online calculator provides the same IPC-2221 compliant results without the $7,000+ annual subscription.
When to Use Our Free Calculator vs Altium
Use TraceWidthCalculator When:
- ✓You need quick trace width calculations during design review
- ✓You're a student or hobbyist without access to Altium
- ✓You're working on a Mac, Linux, or mobile device
- ✓You need to verify calculations from your EDA tool
- ✓You want instant results without software loading time
Altium Designer Is Better For:
- →Complete PCB layout and routing
- →Integrated schematic capture
- →3D visualization and mechanical integration
- →Manufacturing file generation (Gerber, ODB++)
- →Team collaboration with Altium 365
Calculator Feature Comparison
| Feature | Altium Designer | TraceWidthCalculator |
|---|---|---|
| Trace Width Calculator | Built into Designer | Free standalone tool |
| Impedance Calculator | Requires license | Free, no signup |
| Via Current Analysis | Part of PDN Analyzer | Free standalone tool |
| Cost | $7,000+ / year | Free forever |
| Installation | Windows only, multi-GB | Web browser, instant |
| Learning Curve | Weeks to months | Minutes |
Industry Standard Calculations
Whether you use Altium Designer or our free calculator, the underlying physics and standards are identical. Both tools implement IPC-2221 for trace width calculations and similar formulas for impedance.
The difference is accessibility: Altium requires a significant investment and Windows PC, while our calculator runs instantly in any browser. For quick calculations during design review, schematic planning, or verification, the free online tool is often faster and more convenient.
Who Uses Our Altium Alternative?
Students
Learning PCB design without university Altium licenses
Hobbyists
DIY projects that don't justify expensive software
KiCad/Eagle Users
Complementing free EDA tools with quick calculations
Verification
Double-checking Altium results with an independent tool
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this replace Altium Designer?
No—Altium is a complete PCB design suite for schematic capture, layout, and manufacturing. Our tool specifically replaces the trace width/impedance calculator functionality, which is often all you need for quick calculations.
Are the calculations identical to Altium?
Both tools use IPC-2221 standards, so results should be very close. Minor differences may occur due to different implementations of the empirical formulas, but typically within engineering tolerance.
Can I export results to Altium?
You can copy the calculated trace width and use it directly in your Altium design rules. We also provide a copy-to-clipboard feature for easy transfer of all calculation parameters.
Is this affiliated with Altium?
No. TraceWidthCalculator is an independent, free tool. Altium Designer is a trademark of Altium LLC. We provide this as a free alternative for basic calculations.
Start Calculating Without Altium
Professional-grade PCB calculations, completely free. No signup, no download, no Altium license required.
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