What Is a Female Header? Types, Uses, and PCB Selection Guide
A female header connector is a PCB or cable connector whose contacts are hollow sockets — designed to receive the pins of a mating male header. It is one of the most common interconnect components in electronics, found everywhere from Arduino shields to industrial control boards. This guide is for: PCB designers, embedded systems engineers, and makers who need to understand, select, or solder female headers correctly. Not covered: High-current power connectors, RF/coaxial connectors, or crimp-tool assembly of wire harnesses — these fall outside the standard pin-header family and have separate selection criteria. What Is a Female Header? A female header consists of a row (or grid) of spring-loaded socket contacts housed in a plastic insulator body. Each socket is sized to receive a standard male pin. The term "female" describes the receptive contact geometry — the pin inserts into the socket — consistent with IEC 60050-151 general connector terminology. Three para...
