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SMD Chip Component Size Code Reference (Imperial and Metric)

Chip components are named by a four digit size code, and the same four digits mean different parts depending on whether the code is imperial or metric. This reference puts both codes side by side with nominal dimensions so buyers can read a BOM line and know what physical part is being asked for.

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Imperial code	Metric code	Nominal length (mm)	Nominal width (mm)	Typical thick-film resistor rating	Buyer note
01005	0402M	0.40	0.20	about 0.03 W	Mobile and wearable designs; very hard to hand rework
0201	0603M	0.60	0.30	about 0.05 W	Fine placement heads and tight stencil control needed
0402	1005M	1.00	0.50	about 0.063 W	Most common size in dense consumer and industrial boards
0603	1608M	1.60	0.80	about 0.1 W	Common default for general purpose designs
0805	2012M	2.00	1.25	about 0.125 W	Easy to hand solder; good for prototypes
1206	3216M	3.20	1.60	about 0.25 W	Common for higher voltage and larger capacitance MLCC
1210	3225M	3.20	2.50	about 0.5 W	Larger MLCC values; check flex cracking risk
1812	4532M	4.50	3.20	varies by series	High voltage MLCC and some power resistors
2010	5025M	5.00	2.50	about 0.75 W	Power resistors and current sense parts
2512	6332M	6.30	3.20	about 1 W	Current sense shunts; some series rated 2 W

Dimensions are nominal values used for sorting and sourcing. Tolerances, thickness and terminal geometry differ by manufacturer and series, so always confirm against the datasheet and your land pattern. Inch and metric codes use the same digits in a different unit, which is why 0402 (imperial) and 0402M (metric) are different parts.

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How to use the size chart

Type a code such as 0603 into the search box and read across to the metric equivalent and nominal length and width. Use it when a BOM from a supplier in Asia lists 1608 while your ERP item master says 0603, or when a quote request needs a size that both sides understand. The chart is sorted from smallest to largest, so you can also scan upward to find a larger fallback size when a part is on allocation.

Search either the imperial or the metric code
Check the M suffix before assuming a code is imperial
Export the table to Excel for your own sourcing cross reference

How the codes are built

An imperial code joins length and width in hundredths of an inch, so 0603 is 0.06 by 0.03 inch. A metric code joins them in tenths of a millimetre, so 1608 is 1.6 by 0.8 mm. The two systems describe the same body, which is why imperial 0603 equals metric 1608. The confusion comes from imperial 0201 (0.6 by 0.3 mm) sharing digits with metric 0201, which is a much smaller body again, so most datasheets mark metric codes with an M or state the unit explicitly.

Choosing a size for sourcing

Smaller bodies cost more to place and inspect, and the supply base for 01005 and 0201 is narrower than for 0402 and 0603. Larger MLCC bodies such as 1206 and 1210 carry higher capacitance and voltage but are more prone to flex cracking after depaneling. When a design is released, a buyer should know which sizes are standard stock lines and which need a stocking agreement, and should flag any line where the footprint only fits one size.

Common mistakes

The most frequent error is ordering metric 0402 when imperial 0402 was meant, which produces a part too small for the pads. Another is assuming power rating from size alone: ratings differ by series, and thin-film, thick-film and current-sense parts of the same size have different limits. Record the size code together with the unit in your item master description to prevent this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 0603 the same as 1608?

Yes, when 0603 is the imperial code. Imperial 0603 is about 1.6 by 0.8 mm, which is metric 1608. Metric 0603 (often written 0603M) is a much smaller 0.6 by 0.3 mm body that equals imperial 0201.

Does package size tell me the power rating?

Only roughly. Typical thick-film ratings rise with size, but each series sets its own rating and derating curve, so use the datasheet for the exact series you are buying rather than the size alone.

Which sizes are easiest to hand solder?

0805 and larger are practical for hand work and prototypes, 0603 is workable with practice, and 0402 and smaller usually need magnification and a fine tip or hot air.

Do capacitors use the same size codes as resistors?

Yes, MLCC chip capacitors use the same imperial and metric length and width codes. Thickness is not part of the code and varies with capacitance and voltage, so check the height limit on the datasheet.

If your item master mixes imperial and metric size codes, we can build a private cleanup agent that normalizes descriptions against your ERP data on your own infrastructure.

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