A DIP-8 package is an 8-lead dual in-line component on a 2.54 mm (0.1 in) pitch, with a 7.62 mm (300 mil) row spacing as the default width under JEDEC MS-001. That default isn’t universal: at least one manufacturer registers a wider DIP-8A variant, and several power-IC vendors ship 8-lead DIP outlines under their own package codes that aren’t drop-in interchangeable.
Key takeaways
- Standard DIP-8 follows JEDEC MS-001: 2.54 mm pitch, 7.62 mm (300 mil) nominal row spacing, body roughly 9.0–9.5 mm × 6.1–6.4 mm.
- A wider DIP-8A variant exists from at least one manufacturer — don’t assume every “DIP-8” part matches the 300 mil default.
- Manufacturer-specific 8-lead DIP power packages (e.g., Infineon’s PG-DIP-8-13 and PG-DIP-8-905) are registered as distinct outlines, not generic DIP-8.
- Pin 1 sits at the top-left next to a notch or dot; numbering runs counter-clockwise.
- Classic DIP-8 parts include the NE555 timer and LM741 op-amp — both still shipped in this package today.
What a DIP-8 package is
DIP-8 is a through-hole IC package with two rows of four pins each, for a total of eight leads on a 2.54 mm pitch. It’s part of the same JEDEC dual in-line family as larger DIP packages, registered under MS-001 for the narrow 300 mil body width. Classic analog and timer ICs standardized on this package early — the NE555 precision timer and LM741 operational amplifier are both still available in DIP-8 today, alongside SOIC-8 surface-mount equivalents.
DIP-8 dimensions (JEDEC MS-001)
The Analog Devices N-8 package drawing, compliant to JEDEC MS-001, gives the controlling dimensions in inches with millimeter equivalents for reference only — use the inch values for design, not the rounded metric conversions.
| Parameter | JEDEC MS-001 (N-8) | Notes |
| Row spacing (e1) | 7.62–10.92 mm (0.300–0.430 in span) | 7.62 mm (300 mil) is the nominal seating width |
| Lead pitch | 2.54 mm (0.100 in) BSC | Fixed across all standard DIP-8 variants |
| Body width | 6.10–6.35 mm (0.240–0.250 in) | Measured across the plastic body, not the leads |
| Body length | 9.02–9.27 mm (0.355–0.365 in) | |
| Max height (seated) | 5.33 mm (0.210 in) max | Measured from seating plane to top of package |
| Lead width | 0.36–0.56 mm (0.014–0.022 in) |
Design rule: the 300 mil row spacing is the default assumption for “DIP-8,” but it is not guaranteed. Confirm row spacing against the specific part’s datasheet before ordering a socket or finalizing a footprint.
The DIP-8 variant problem
Generic “DIP-8” covers more ground than most reference pages admit. Vishay’s own package drawings list both a DIP-8 and a wider DIP-8A outline side by side, with different body lengths and pin-1 identifier dimensions. Separately, Infineon registers multiple 8-lead through-hole DIP packages under distinct part numbers — PG-DIP-8-13 for Fixed Frequency and Quasi Resonant CoolSET parts, and PG-DIP-8-905 for gate driver and lighting ICs — rather than a single generic DIP-8 outline.
The practical effect: an 8-pin count alone does not guarantee footprint compatibility across manufacturers or part families. Power ICs in particular are more likely to use a manufacturer-specific 8-lead DIP variant than the narrow-body signal/analog default.
Pin numbering and orientation
Pin 1 is marked by a notch, dot, or both on one end of the package, and numbering runs counter-clockwise from the top-left when the notch faces up. For DIP-8, pins 1–4 run down the left column and pins 5–8 run back up the right column, with pin 8 sitting directly across from pin 1.
Land pattern (IPC-7351)
Diodes Inc. publishes a suggested land pattern for PDIP-8 built on IPC-7351A conventions rather than a generic formula estimate — useful because the pad geometry differs from the package body dimensions above.
| Dimension | Min (mm) | Max (mm) |
| A — overall land length | 9.02 | 9.53 |
| B — overall land width | 6.15 | 6.35 |
| L — row spacing (pad centers) | 7.62 | 8.26 |
| G — pad pitch | 2.54 typ. | 2.54 typ. |
Diodes Inc. notes that a more robust pattern for wave soldering adds 0.2 mm to the outer pad dimension; for hand-soldered or reflow-only boards, the nominal land pattern above is sufficient. Always cross-check the land pattern against your specific part’s datasheet, since suggested patterns vary slightly by manufacturer even for the same body outline.
When DIP-8 makes sense vs. SMT
DIP-8 remains common for prototyping, hobbyist builds, and any board where hand-soldering or socketing is the priority — through-hole mounting gives mechanical strength and easy replacement that surface mount doesn’t. For production volume, SOIC-8 is the direct surface-mount equivalent at a narrower 3.9 mm body width and 1.27 mm lead pitch, occupying roughly 30–50% less board area than the equivalent DIP. Adapter boards exist specifically to convert an SOIC-8 part back to a DIP-8 footprint for breadboarding, confirming these two packages are the standard migration pair for this pin count.
Socket selection
Order a DIP-8 socket by pitch and row spacing together, not pin count alone. A standard 300 mil, 0.1 in pitch DIP-8 socket will not correctly seat a wider DIP-8A part or a manufacturer-specific power package registered under a different outline code. When in doubt, match the socket to the exact package drawing in the datasheet rather than the generic “DIP-8” label.
FAQ
What is the standard size of a DIP-8 package?
The JEDEC MS-001 body is roughly 9.0–9.5 mm long by 6.1–6.4 mm wide, with a 2.54 mm lead pitch and 7.62 mm (300 mil) nominal row spacing. Some manufacturers register wider or narrower variants under separate part numbers.
What is the pin spacing on a DIP-8?
The lead pitch is 2.54 mm (0.1 in) between adjacent pins in the same row, fixed across standard DIP-8 variants.
How do you find pin 1 on a DIP-8?
Look for a notch or dot at one end of the package. With the notch facing up, pin 1 is the top-left pin, and numbering runs counter-clockwise around the package.
Is DIP-8 the same across all manufacturers?
Not always. Most analog and timer ICs follow the JEDEC MS-001 300 mil outline, but some manufacturers register wider variants (e.g., DIP-8A) or entirely separate 8-lead DIP outlines for power packages.
What replaces DIP-8 in surface-mount designs?
SOIC-8 is the direct pin-count equivalent for surface mount, at roughly 30–50% less board area than DIP-8.
Decision
Before ordering a socket or finalizing a footprint for an 8-pin DIP part, confirm the exact package drawing in the datasheet rather than assuming the 300 mil JEDEC MS-001 default — especially for power ICs, where manufacturer-specific 8-lead DIP outlines are common. For new designs where board space matters, default to SOIC-8 and reserve DIP-8 for prototyping, socketed test fixtures, or hand-assembly.