What Is a Header / Pin Header?
A pin header is the most commonly used board-to-board connector, with evenly spaced pins arranged in a single or double row. Its standard pitch is 2.54 mm.
Its Structure
It's made of straight metal pins arranged in a plastic body. A male header has protruding pins, while a female header has sockets that accept these pins. It can be single-row (1xN) or double-row (2xN).
Where Is It Used?
The GPIO outputs of development boards like Arduino/Raspberry Pi, sensor modules, programming (ICSP/JTAG) headers and the side connections of MCU boards are made with pin headers.
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Pitch | 2.54 mm (2.0 / 1.27 mm also exist) |
| Rows | Single (1xN) / double (2xN) |
| Angle | Straight / 90° right-angle |
Use With a Jumper
Two adjacent pins in a double row are shorted with a small jumper placed over them to make a setting; it's often used for mode selection, on/off or address setting.
Snap-Off
Long header strips can be cut (snap-off) to the desired pin count; this lets you get headers of different lengths from a single part.
Common Mistakes
- Mixing pitch: a 2.54 mm header doesn't fit a 2.0 mm female.
- Orientation: the pin-1 mark on a double-row header must not be overlooked.
- Cold solder: mechanically stressed header pins break off if not soldered well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a header the same as a connector?+
Where does a female header plug in?+
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