Pin header RFQ guide

Pin Header Tail Length and Plastic Height: What to Confirm Before RFQ

For a pin header RFQ, do not describe the part only by pitch and pin count. Tail length, plastic height, exposed mating length and total height affect soldering, mating fit, board spacing and enclosure clearance. The safest RFQ includes a marked drawing or sample photo, PCB thickness, mounting style, mating connector, plating requirement and target quantity.

Engineering reference summary

Tail length is the solder-side pin segment; it is not the total pin length.
Plastic height is the insulator body height; it is not the final board-to-board stack height.
Useful RFQ inputs include pitch, rows and positions, mounting style, PCB thickness, plastic height, solder tail, exposed mating length or mating part, plating and quantity.

Use scope: Kirision RFQ engineering reference. Dimensions and fit are application-specific and should be confirmed against the project drawing, sample, PCB and assembly process.

Content updated: July 13, 2026.

Dual-row through-hole pin header used to review tail length, plastic height and exposed mating length before RFQ — Representative dual-row through-hole pin header for tail length, plastic height and exposed mating length review.

A common request is "2.54mm dual-row pin header, 2x20P, custom height." This is not enough for a reliable quotation. Custom height can refer to the plastic body height, solder tail length, exposed pin length above the plastic, total pin length or final board-to-board distance after mating.

If these dimensions are mixed, the sample can look correct in a photo but fail during PCB assembly or mating.

Four dimensions buyers should separate

Pin header drawing showing exposed mating length, plastic height and solder tail length for RFQ review — Cropped drawing reference for marking exposed mating length, plastic height and solder tail length.

Dimension	Meaning	Why it matters
Plastic height	Height of the insulator body	Affects support, board spacing and available mating length
Solder tail length	Pin length on the solder side	Must match PCB thickness, soldering process and bottom-side clearance
Exposed mating length	Pin length above the plastic body	Controls engagement with female header, socket or mating board
Overall height	Full occupied height of the connector	Affects enclosure clearance and nearby components

If the RFQ says "height 8.5mm", mark the start point and end point on a drawing. A supplier should not have to guess which height is required.

Tail length and PCB thickness

For through-hole pin headers, solder tail length should be checked against PCB thickness and soldering method. A short tail may reduce solder fillet margin. A long tail may interfere with an enclosure, a second PCB, a test fixture or a conformal coating process.

For SMT pin headers, the key information is different. Pad size, footprint, coplanarity and packaging format are usually more important than a through-hole tail dimension.

Plastic height and mating fit

Plastic height is not only a cosmetic dimension. It affects how much pin length remains available for mating, how the connector is supported on the PCB and how much space the assembly occupies.

In board-to-board applications, plastic height is only one part of the final stack height. The female header, insertion depth and PCB thickness also need to be checked.

When a pin header must mate with an existing female header, the exposed mating length should be confirmed together with the female contact depth. Matching pitch alone is not enough.

What to send for RFQ review

Pitch.
Pin count and row count.
Straight, right-angle, SMT or through-hole type.
Plastic height.
Solder tail length.
Exposed mating length or mating connector information.
PCB thickness.
Plating requirement.
Drawing, sample photo, BOM or layout screenshot.
Estimated quantity and application.

A practical RFQ example

Weak RFQ: Need 2.54mm 2×20 pin header, custom height. Please quote.

Better RFQ: We need a 2.54mm dual-row straight through-hole pin header, 2x20P. PCB thickness is 1.6mm. Plastic height target is 2.54mm. Solder tail target is 3.0mm. Exposed mating length should match our existing female header. Tin plating is acceptable unless gold flash is recommended for the mating side. Drawing and sample photo are attached. Trial quantity is 2,000 pcs, with expected batch demand of 20,000 pcs.

When custom tail length is reasonable

Custom tail length is usually easier to review when the request stays close to an existing structure. Adjusting solder tail length or selecting an available plastic height may be more practical than creating a new insulator body.

The request becomes more complex when it needs an unusual plastic height, special pin shape, tight tolerance, uncommon row arrangement or new housing. In those cases, drawing review and sample confirmation are required before price is meaningful.

Common mistakes to avoid

Mistake	Possible result
Measuring total height but calling it plastic height	Wrong sample height
Forgetting PCB thickness	Tail length may not suit soldering
Using only a catalog photo	Dimensions remain unclear
Ignoring the mating connector	Exposed pin length may be wrong
Treating straight and right-angle versions as interchangeable	PCB layout and assembly fit can fail
Requesting gold plating without mating-cycle information	Cost may increase without clear benefit

Drawing notes for faster review

If a drawing is available, mark pitch, plastic height, solder tail length, exposed mating length, overall height, pin size and PCB hole size or recommended PCB layout.

For replacement work, include photos from the top, side and mating direction. If a physical sample is available, keep one sample unmodified for comparison.

Send a connector RFQ

Send drawing, sample photo, BOM, STEP, DWG or PDF files. Kirision can review pitch, rows, positions, mounting style, height, tail length, mating connector, plating, quantity and export document requirements before quotation.

ISO 9001 quality management documentation can be provided for qualified RFQ projects. RoHS material compliance review is available on request when export projects require it.

Send RFQ

FAQ

Is tail length the same as total pin length?

No. Tail length usually means the pin length on the solder side. Total pin length includes the exposed mating side, plastic body section and solder tail.

Is plastic height the same as board-to-board stack height?

No. Plastic height is only the insulator body height. Board-to-board height depends on the pin header, female header, insertion depth and PCB thickness.

Can Kirision customize pin header tail length?

Kirision can review custom tail length by drawing, sample or dimensional requirement. Feasibility depends on pitch, pin structure, available tooling, plating, tolerance and quantity.

What if only a sample photo is available?

A sample photo is useful for the first review. For replacement work, add caliper measurements, PCB thickness and mating connector information whenever possible.

Do all pin headers need gold plating?

No. Tin plating is common for many soldered PCB connections. Gold flash or selective gold may be considered when mating reliability, insertion cycles or application conditions require it.