PCB Design Checklist: 25 Key Points
You've finished your PCB design and you're ready to hit the "order" button. Stop. Before you commit to manufacturing, run through this checklist. It's far cheaper to catch mistakes now than after you've received 100 boards with the same error.
This comprehensive checklist covers everything from basic connectivity to advanced manufacturing requirements. Print it out. Tape it to your monitor. Your future self will thank you.
Part 1: Schematic Verification
Part 2: Power Integrity
Use our Trace Width Calculator and Via Current Calculator to verify items 8-10.
Part 3: Signal Integrity
For impedance requirements, see our High-Speed Impedance Guide.
Part 4: Thermal Management
For thermal via guidance, see our Thermal Via vs Signal Via Guide.
Part 5: Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
| Parameter | Standard | Advanced |
|---|---|---|
| Min trace width | 5 mil | 3 mil |
| Min trace space | 5 mil | 3 mil |
| Min hole size | 10 mil | 6 mil |
| Min annular ring | 4 mil | 3 mil |
| Via-to-trace clearance | 6 mil | 4 mil |
Part 6: Design for Assembly (DFA)
Part 7: Silkscreen & Documentation
Part 8: Final Checks Before Order
CRITICAL: Never proceed with DRC or ERC errors. "It'll probably be fine" is the most expensive phrase in hardware engineering. Fix all errors or document exactly why each one is acceptable.
Checklist Summary
| Category | Items | Critical |
|---|---|---|
| Schematic | 7 | 1 |
| Power Integrity | 6 | 2 |
| Signal Integrity | 6 | 1 |
| Thermal | 3 | 0 |
| DFM | 3 | 2 |
| DFA | 5 | 0 |
| Silkscreen | 5 | 0 |
| Final Checks | 7 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 42 | 9 |
Use This Checklist
Copy this page URL and reference it before every board order. Better yet, create your own version in your project documentation with additional items specific to your design requirements.
The most expensive bug is the one you could have caught with a checklist.
Pro tip: Consider using AI assistants to help review your design documentation. Tools like Gemini prompt generators can help you craft effective queries to double-check your design decisions with AI-powered analysis.
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