The quote¶
| Part of the quote | Where it comes from |
|---|---|
| Component prices, stock, basic/preferred/extended status | Live, from JLCPCB's parts library |
| PCB fabrication, assembly fees, shipping | Estimated, from wholeboard/jlc/pricing.json |
| Extra-cost features (small vias, vias in pads, bottom-side assembly) | From capabilities.json and the board |
| Mouser and DigiKey | Live with API keys in Settings → JLCPCB; search links without them |
| OSH Park, Aisler | Worked out from their published prices (Other fabs) |
| PCBWay | Promotional small-board price, marked as indicative; assembly is quoted by hand, so only a link |
JLCPCB does not publish a pricing formula, and its official API (api.jlcpcb.com) needs an approved developer
account. Update pricing.json when JLCPCB changes its prices, and confirm the final price on cart.jlcpcb.com with
the generated Gerber zip, BOM and CPL.
Cheaper parts¶
Extended parts (a $3 feeder fee each) and parts that are short of stock are matched against drop-in replacements: the same resistor, capacitor or LED value in the same package (with an equal or better voltage rating and tolerance), or the same part number under a basic/preferred LCSC number. Tick the swaps to apply them. The BOM and CPL are rewritten; the board does not change.
Panels¶
For small boards, or when it is cheaper, the quote suggests a panel (columns × rows, V-cut or tab routing, 5 mm rails) and compares the price. Choose a panel in the quote options to price it, and Make the panel files to draw it with KiKit (Make a panel). Without panel files, JLCPCB builds it from the single-board files when you pick Panel by JLCPCB.
Parts JLCPCB cannot fit¶
Parts with no LCSC number, not found at JLCPCB, or short of stock are priced at Mouser and DigiKey by manufacturer
part number (mpn on the component), with stock and the best offer for the quantity. Keys:
- Mouser: a Search API key from mouser.com/api-hub.
- DigiKey: an app with the Product Information V4 API at developer.digikey.com (client ID and secret).
Project report¶
A PDF of the whole board for a design review or your records, rebuilt after each quote and enclosure.