Resistor Sizes and Packages

Resistors are available in a large amount of different packages. Nowadays the most used are the
rectangular surface mount resistors, but also the good old axial resistor is still used extensively in through
hole designs. This page will inform you about the dimensions of SM, axial and M!"# packages and about the
re$uired land patterns for SM components.
SMD resistor sizes
The shape and si%e of surface mount resistors are standardi%ed, most manufacturers use the &!!'
standards. The si%e of SM resistors is indicated by a numerical code, such as ()(*. This code contains the
width and height of the package. So in the example of ()(* +mperial code, this indicates a length of (.()(,
and a width of (.(*(,. This code can be given in +mperial or Metric units, in general the +mperial code is used
more often to indicate the package si%e. -n the contrary in modern .'/ design metric units 0mm1 are more
often used, this can be confusing. +n general you can assume the code is in imperial units, but the dimensions
used are in mm. The SM resistor si%e depends mainly on the re$uired power rating. The following table lists
the dimensions and specifications of commonly used surface mount packages.
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Solder pad land pattern
6hen designing with surface mount components the right solder pad si%e and land pattern should be
used. The following table shows an indication of the land pattern for common surface mount packages. The
table lists the dimensions for reflow soldering, for wave soldering smaller pads are used.
Axial resistor size
The si%e of axial resistors is not as standardi%ed as the SM resistors and different manufacturers
often use slightly different dimensions. #urthermore the si%e of an axial resistor depends on the power rating
and the type of resistor such as carbon composition, wirewound, carbon or metal film. The following drawing
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and table give an indication of the dimensions of common carbon film and metal film axial resistors.
6henever the exact si%e needs to be known, always check the manufacturer datasheet of the component.
MELF resistor package sizes
Sometimes surface mount resistors are also used as M!"# packages 0Metal !lectrode "eadless #ace1.
The main advantage of using M!"# in stead of standard SM packages is the lower thermal coefficient and
better stability. The T'R of thin film M!"# resistors is often between 7848( ppm39 while standard thick film
SM resistors often have a T'R of : 7(( ppm39. This is possible due to the cylindrical construction of M!"#
resistors. This cylindrical construction also gives the package distinct disadvantages, mainly when the
components have to be placed using pick and place machines. /ecause of their round shape a special suction
cup and more vacuum is re$uired. There are three common M!"# package si%es2 MicroM!"#, MiniM!"# and
M!"#. The following table lists the characteristics of these types.
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