High-speed signal integrity starts with proper impedance control. Whether you're routing USB 3.0, HDMI, DDR4, PCIe, or RF signals, ensuring the trace impedance matches your design specification is critical to maintaining performance, preventing reflection, and minimizing EMI.
HilPCB’s online impedance calculator is a free, browser-based tool that helps engineers, PCB designers, and hardware developers calculate trace impedance for various stackup and routing conditions—without installing any software.
What Is an Online Impedance Calculator?
An online impedance calculator estimates the characteristic impedance (Z₀) of PCB transmission lines based on trace width, height, dielectric constant, copper thickness, and other parameters.
Our calculator supports:
- Microstrip (external layer) impedance calculations
- Symmetric and asymmetric stripline impedance
- Differential pair impedance (microstrip and stripline)
- Dielectric height, trace thickness, and loss tangent inputs
- Unit flexibility: mils, mm, ohms, GHz
This makes it ideal for high-speed PCB design involving interfaces like USB, LVDS, MIPI, CAN, SerDes, and more.
Why Impedance Calculation Is Critical for PCB Design
Impedance mismatches can cause:
- Signal reflections and overshoot
- Crosstalk between adjacent lines
- Poor eye diagrams and reduced bit error rates
- Failed EMC testing
Using an online trace impedance calculator during the design phase helps:
- Match impedance to IC datasheet recommendations
- Define proper trace width and spacing in controlled impedance layers
- Guide stackup decisions with fabrication in mind
- Avoid costly revisions after PCB fabrication
Solve Real Engineering Questions with Our Online Impedance Calculator
If you’ve ever wondered:
- How wide should a 50 ohm microstrip be for your stackup?
- What trace spacing is required for a 100 ohm differential pair?
- Should you use stripline or microstrip for better impedance control?
- How do dielectric constant and copper thickness impact impedance?
- Can you simulate USB 3.0 or LVDS impedance online without EDA software?
You’re not alone. These are the exact questions signal integrity engineers, PCB designers, and RF developers face daily.
HilPCB’s online impedance calculator helps you answer them instantly—no installation, no complex setup. You can test stackups, tune dimensions, and make layout decisions that align with your IC datasheets, speed targets, and EMC requirements.
Whether you’re routing differential pairs for USB, PCIe, DDR, or designing RF traces for 50Ω, our calculator gives you the insight to do it right the first time.
Practical Engineering Applications of Impedance Control
- Designing 90 ohm differential pairs for USB, Ethernet, or HDMI
- Matching 100 ohm impedance for LVDS or RS485 links
- Tuning RF signal paths to 50 ohm on external layers
- Defining trace dimensions for SerDes lanes in high-speed backplanes
- Pre-routing validation for HDI stackups and impedance-critical zones
Our calculator can be used to validate impedance before layout or double-check fabrication specs during DRC reviews.
How to Use HilPCB’s Online Impedance Calculator
Simply enter:
- Dielectric height
- Trace width and thickness
- Dielectric constant (Dk)
- Frequency (optional)
- Spacing (for differential pairs)
The calculator will return impedance values in real time, with clear labels and adjustable units.
No registration, no login, no installation—just instant engineering value.
From Calculator to PCB Fabrication – Complete Impedance Workflow
HilPCB is not just a tool provider. We are a full-service PCB manufacturer and assembler with expertise in controlled impedance board fabrication. After using our calculator, you can send us your:
- Stackup requirements
- Impedance targets (e.g., 50Ω, 90Ω, 100Ω)
- Gerber files and BOM
We offer impedance modeling, test coupon generation, TDR validation, and real fabrication with impedance certificates on request.
Start by calculating trace widths, and finish by submitting your files for quote:
/quote
Start Using the Online Impedance Calculator Now
HilPCB’s impedance calculator is fast, accurate, and completely free.
Perfect for signal integrity engineers, hardware designers, and students working on high-speed or RF designs.
Try it here:
/tools/impedance-calculator
Expert Guidance on Stackup and Controlled Impedance
If you're unsure about which stackup to use, what dielectric materials are best for your impedance targets, or how to optimize trace width and spacing—we can help.
HilPCB's engineering team offers guidance on:
- Custom PCB stackup configurations for controlled impedance
- Material selection and copper weight considerations
- TDR-tested impedance validation for production boards
- Impedance modeling and signal integrity planning for RF and high-speed signals
You can contact us directly to discuss your impedance needs, or simply include your specifications when submitting a quote request.