PCB Panelization Calculator
Compare two rectangular board layouts, see where the space goes, and keep rails and gaps in the calculation.
How to Use the Panelization Calculator
- Enter board and panel size. Use the board outline’s rectangular width and height, then the complete panel size including rails.
- Allow for the process. Set rail width on each side and board-to-board gaps. Compare 0° and 90° uniform grids or choose an orientation.
- Review the layout. Check boards per panel and gross utilization. Add your requested board quantity for an illustrative panel count, then export the calculation.
Plan a Rectangular PCB Panel
Uniform grids · live layoutBoard, panel and spacing
Panel preview
- Board area / gross panel area
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- Board area / usable area
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- Usable width × height
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- Unused gross area
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| Orientation | Columns × rows | Boards |
|---|
Optional Build Quantity
Geometric quantity only, before scrap, yield or assembly allowances.
This preview does not generate manufacturing Gerbers, score lines or tab locations.
Your dimensions stay in this browser page.
How the Panel Fit Is Calculated
Rails and gaps use different space
Usable width is gross panel width minus the left and right rails. Usable height subtracts the top and bottom rails. For a uniform grid, columns = floor((usable width + horizontal gap) / (board width + horizontal gap)); the same calculation gives rows.
There are gaps between adjacent boards, with no extra gap added outside the board grid. Increasing a rail or gap can remove an entire row or column.
Read utilization with its denominator
Gross utilization divides the total board-outline area by the complete panel area, including rails. Usable-area utilization excludes rails. Neither percentage describes electrical yield, fabrication cost or nesting efficiency for irregular outlines.
The calculator compares two uniform orientations only. It does not mix rotations, nest shapes or evaluate component overhangs, tooling holes, fiducials or support-tab strength.
Turn the layout into a production panel
FLJ connects board fabrication with assembly handling. Send the board files and this layout to discuss routing or scoring, rail features, tooling and component clearances before the panel is released.
Panel Planning Questions
Is the automatic choice a fully optimized panel?
It selects the larger board count from two uniform grids. Mixed rotations and irregular nesting can produce different arrangements and are outside this tool.
Can I use zero gaps for V-scoring?
A shared-edge rectangular concept can use zero gaps. The score paths, copper and component clearances, board thickness and handling still need checking. Selecting the V-score note does not remove entered gaps. Reference explanation of continuous V-cut paths.
Are the example panel size and rails FLJ limits?
No. Examples illustrate the calculation. The production panel and handling requirements are selected for the actual fabrication and assembly route.