Header Pins (Female) Symbol
Definition: The Header Pins (Female) symbol represents a multi-pin socket connector — with receptacle contacts designed to receive male header pins — used in electronic schematics to show a through-hole or surface-mount connector that mates with a standard 2.54 mm (0.1 inch) pitch male header strip, as commonly used in Arduino shields, breadboard jumper wires, and PCB-to-PCB interconnections.
Also known as: female header, female header connector, pin socket, pin socket connector, receptacle header, Arduino socket, 0.1-inch header socket, DuPont connector (female).
What the Header Pins (Female) symbol means
The Header Pins (Female) symbol denotes a row of socket contacts that accept male pin headers for removable electrical connections between PCBs, modules, and breadboards. Each receptacle socket grips a male pin (typically 0.64 mm square brass) and forms a reliable electrical connection suitable for signal, power, and data lines up to approximately 1 A per contact at low voltages. Female headers are the most common connector type for prototyping with Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and microcontroller development boards.
In schematics the Header Pins (Female) symbol is drawn as a rectangular block or a series of individual socket symbols with pins P1 through P5 (or however many positions the connector has) labelled sequentially. The symbol indicates a removable connection point where jumper wires, ribbon cables, or mating male headers can be inserted for circuit interconnection. Female headers are typically soldered to PCBs, while the mating male pins may be on a module, sensor board, or wire harness.
How to identify the Header Pins (Female) symbol
The Header Pins (Female) symbol is drawn as a series of small squares or rectangles representing socket cavities, arranged in a single row, with pin numbers labelled alongside (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5 in the five-pin version). In schematic block form it is a rectangle labelled 'HEADER (F)' or 'FEMALE HEADER' with pins P1–P5 on one edge. In detailed connector symbols (as in KiCad or Altium) each socket cavity is shown as a square with the pin number inside, stacked vertically, with the connection line exiting horizontally from the socket opening. The symbol may include a reference designator J (for jack/connector) or P (for plug).
Function in a circuit
Female header connectors serve as removable, re-insertable electrical interconnections in electronic assemblies. The receptacle contacts accept male pins in a snapping or friction-fit manner, providing a mechanically secure and electrically reliable connection. They are used on PCBs to allow modules, sensors, and shields to be plugged in and removed without soldering, facilitating prototyping, field replacement, and modular system design. Female headers carry digital signals, analog signals, power supply rails (VCC, GND), SPI, I2C, UART, and PWM lines in embedded systems.
Standards: IEC vs ANSI
| IEC 60617 | IEC 60603-13 covers rectangular connectors for printed circuit boards, including 2.54 mm pitch (0.1 inch) header connectors. IEC 60617 represents connectors as labelled block symbols with numbered pins; no unique glyph is assigned to female headers specifically. Pin 1 is identified by a square pad (PCB footprint) or a dot on the schematic symbol. |
|---|---|
| ANSI/IEEE 315 | IEEE 315-1975 (ANSI Y32.2) represents connectors as rectangular blocks with numbered pin lines. The female header is identified by the connector reference designator J (Jack) in North American practice, while the mating male connector uses P (Plug). ANSI/IPC-7251 defines the physical footprint standards for through-hole header connectors. |
| Key difference | IEC and IEEE/ANSI connector symbols are visually equivalent for header connectors — both use numbered rectangular blocks. The naming convention differs: IEC uses the term 'receptacle' for the socket (female) side; IEEE/ANSI uses 'Jack (J)' for the fixed or PCB-mounted socket and 'Plug (P)' for the mating free-hanging or moveable side. In practice, these terms are used interchangeably in schematics for 2.54 mm header connectors. |
Terminals / pins
| Pin | Name |
|---|---|
| p1 | Pin 1 |
| p2 | Pin 2 |
| p3 | Pin 3 |
| p4 | Pin 4 |
| p5 | Pin 5 |
Typical values
Pitch: 2.54 mm (0.1 inch) standard; 2.0 mm and 1.27 mm (0.05 inch) also common. Contact current rating: 1 A per contact (standard), 3 A for heavy-duty versions. Voltage rating: 250 V AC/DC. Contact resistance: <20 mΩ mated. Insulation resistance: >1000 MΩ. Operating temperature: −40°C to +105°C. Mating cycles: 30–100 typical (prototyping grade), up to 500+ for industrial grade.
Where the Header Pins (Female) symbol is used
- Arduino shield connectors — female header strips on Arduino boards accept male headers on shield PCBs, enabling stackable expansion modules
- Raspberry Pi GPIO connections — female headers on prototyping boards connect to the 40-pin male GPIO header on Raspberry Pi boards via jumper wires
- Sensor module interfaces — breakout boards for I2C, SPI, and UART sensors use female header connections for easy insertion into breadboards or GPIO expansions
- Ribbon cable connectors — IDC (insulation-displacement) female headers terminate flat ribbon cables for internal computer, printer, and industrial controller wiring
- PCB-to-PCB board stacking — matched male/female headers allow daughter boards to stack on top of mother boards in module assemblies
- Jumper configuration links — single-position female headers (jumper blocks) configure pull-up/pull-down, voltage selection, and mode settings on development boards
- Hobbyist robotics and maker projects — female headers on motor driver boards, display modules, and sensor boards accept male jumper wire connections for rapid prototyping
Example
In an Arduino Mega schematic for a data-logging weather station, four Header Pins (Female) symbols are shown: a 10-pin female header (J1, P1–P10) for I2C sensors (SDA, SCL, VCC, GND, and six additional GPIO lines), a 6-pin female header (J2, P1–P6) for the SPI SD card module (MOSI, MISO, SCK, CS, VCC, GND), a 4-pin female header (J3) for a DHT22 temperature/humidity sensor, and a 3-pin female header (J4, P1–P3) for the serial RX/TX/GND connection to a GSM module. All female header connectors are annotated with their reference designators and the signal name for each pin.
Key facts
- The Header Pins (Female) symbol represents a socket-type connector with 2.54 mm (0.1 inch) pitch receptacle contacts that accept male pin headers, used for removable PCB-to-PCB and module-to-module connections in electronic assemblies.
- The five-pin Header Pins (Female) symbol has five numbered pins: P1 (Pin 1) through P5 (Pin 5), sequentially labelled from one end to the other; in real connectors Pin 1 is identified by a square solder pad on the PCB footprint.
- Female header connectors are rated for approximately 1 A per contact at low voltages (250 V AC) and have a contact resistance below 20 mΩ when mated with a compatible male pin header of the same pitch.
- In schematic notation, the female connector (socket, PCB-mounted) is designated J (Jack) per IEEE 315-1975 convention, while the mating male connector (plug, wire-end) is designated P (Plug).
- The standard 2.54 mm pitch female header is mechanically compatible with breadboard tie strips, male jumper wires, and standard 0.1-inch male header pins used on virtually all Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and maker ecosystem boards.
- Female header connectors for signal use support digital I/O, PWM, SPI, I2C, UART, analog, power (VCC/GND), and RF (with 50 Ω matched connectors) depending on pin assignment and signal integrity requirements.
- IEC 60603-13 and the JEDEC JEDS family define standardised physical dimensions and performance requirements for 2.54 mm pitch header connectors, ensuring interchangeability between manufacturers.
Frequently asked questions
What does the female header connector symbol look like?
The Header Pins (Female) symbol is drawn as a row of small squares or a rectangular block labelled 'HEADER (F)' or 'FEMALE HEADER', with pins numbered P1, P2, P3, P4, P5 (for a 5-pin version) along one edge. In detailed schematics, each socket position is a square with the pin number, stacked vertically, with connection lines exiting horizontally. Pin 1 is typically indicated by a square solder pad or a dot.
What is a female header connector?
A female header connector is a row of socket contacts designed to accept male pin headers (square brass pins, typically 0.64 mm). It is soldered to a PCB and provides a removable connection for jumper wires, modules, shields, and ribbon cables. The standard pitch is 2.54 mm (0.1 inch), compatible with Arduino shields, breadboards, and most hobbyist electronics.
What is the difference between male and female header pins?
Male header pins are protruding square-section pins (typically 0.64 mm × 0.64 mm, 2.54 mm pitch) that insert into female header sockets. Female header sockets are the receptacle side with spring-contact cavities that grip male pins. Male headers are typically on module edges or soldered to PCBs as protruding pins; female headers are soldered to PCBs or terminated on jumper wires to accept those pins.
What is the pin pitch of a standard female header?
The standard pitch for female header connectors used in electronics prototyping is 2.54 mm (0.1 inch). This is the centre-to-centre spacing between adjacent pins. The 2.54 mm pitch is compatible with standard breadboards, Arduino boards, and DuPont-type jumper wires. Smaller pitches (2.0 mm and 1.27 mm) are used in compact designs; larger pitches (3.96 mm, 5.08 mm) appear in power connectors.
What is the current rating of a female header connector?
Standard 2.54 mm pitch female header connectors are rated for approximately 1 A per contact at up to 250 V. For higher-current applications (motor power, battery connections), larger-pitch connectors with heavier contacts (e.g., Molex KK, JST VH series) rated at 3–5 A per contact should be used. Signal lines typically carry milliamperes; the 1 A rating allows for VCC and GND power pins in small microcontroller systems.
What designator is used for a female header connector in schematics?
Per IEEE 315-1975 (ANSI Y32.2) convention, a PCB-mounted socket connector (female header) is given the reference designator J (for Jack). The mating connector on a wire harness or module is designated P (for Plug). In practice many schematics use J1, J2, J3 for all connectors regardless of gender; some use CON for connector followed by a number.
What standard defines female header connectors?
IEC 60603-13 defines rectangular connectors for printed circuit board applications, covering 2.54 mm pitch headers. IPC-7251 defines PCB footprint standards for through-hole header connectors. The connector mating interface is also described in EIA/JEDEC JEDS standards. The schematic symbol conventions follow IEC 60617 (labelled block with numbered pins) and IEEE 315-1975 (ANSI Y32.2).
Place the Header Pins (Female) symbol on a wiring diagram or schematic in the free online circuit diagram maker — no download required.