JST Connector Types: Complete Guide to PH, XH, SH, and Every Series

> Important: “JST-style” is not a specification. Choose the housing, terminal and header from the same approved JST series, then confirm the exact wire range and derating in the applicable data sheet.

Quick Reference — All Common JST Series

Series	Pitch	Current	Wire AWG	Use Case
SH	1.0mm	1A	28–32	Micro cameras, tiny flight controllers
GH	1.25mm	1A	26–30	Compact sensors, battery balance leads
ZH	1.5mm	1A	26–30	Small speakers, LCD modules
PH	2.0mm	2A	24–28	Most common — sensors, motors, LEDs
PA	2.0mm	3A	22–28	Higher current at 2.0mm
XH	2.5mm	3A	22–28	Battery packs, servos, fans
RCY	2.5mm	3A	22–28	RC battery connectors
VH	3.96mm	7A	18–22	Power distribution, appliances
EH	2.5mm	3A	22–28	Similar to XH, older style
SM	2.5mm	3A	22–28	Wire-to-wire version of XH

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1. What “JST” Actually Means

JST (Japan Solderless Terminal) is a Japanese connector manufacturer. “JST connector” is often used loosely to mean “small white crimp connector,” but JST actually produces hundreds of distinct series. The key distinction: each series has a unique pitch, pin shape, and housing geometry — they are NOT interchangeable.

The most common misunderstanding: a “JST PH” connector is completely different from a “JST XH” — different pitch (2.0mm vs 2.5mm), different pin size, and the housings do not mate with each other.

How to Identify a JST Series

1. Measure pitch: Center-to-center distance between adjacent pins
2. Check pin shape: Round, square, or blade
3. Check housing: Locking latch type, keying, dimensions
4. Match the datasheet: Confirm against official JST dimensions

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2. The Big Three: PH, XH, SH

JST PH (2.0mm) — The Hobby Standard

The most commonly encountered JST connector in DIY and consumer electronics.

Parameter	Specification
Pitch	2.0mm
Current	2A
Wire	24–28 AWG
Positions	2–16
Locking	Friction lock; verify retention for the exact mating pair
Header	SMT or TH, right-angle or straight

Used in: Arduino sensors, small DC motors, LED strips, hobby servos, drones, RC electronics.

JST XH (2.5mm) — The Battery Standard

Slightly larger than PH, used where more current or robustness is needed.

Parameter	Specification
Pitch	2.5mm
Current	3A
Wire	22–28 AWG
Positions	2–16
Locking	Friction lock; do not assume a positive side latch
Header	TH primarily, top-entry

Used in: Lithium battery packs (balance leads), cooling fans, servos, RC batteries, 3D printer electronics.

JST SH (1.0mm) — The Micro Standard

Ultra-compact, for tight spaces.

Parameter	Specification
Pitch	1.0mm
Current	1A
Wire	28–32 AWG
Positions	2–20
Locking	Compact friction-lock interface

Used in: Micro cameras, tiny flight controllers, wearable devices, compact sensors.

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3. Complete Series Comparison

Series	Pitch	Current	Key Feature	Common Application
SH	1.0mm	1A	Ultra-compact	Micro cameras
GH	1.25mm	1A	Positive lock	Drone balance leads
ZH	1.5mm	1A	Low profile	LCD, speakers
PH	2.0mm	2A	Universal hobby	Sensors, motors
PA	2.0mm	3A	Higher current 2.0mm	Power at 2.0mm pitch
XH	2.5mm	3A	Battery standard	Battery packs
RCY	2.5mm	3A	In-line, keyed	RC batteries
VH	3.96mm	7A	High current	Appliances, power
VL	6.2mm	10A+	Very high current	Power supply
EH	2.5mm	3A	Legacy	Older equipment
SM	2.5mm	3A	Wire-to-wire	Harness splicing

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4. Crimp Terminal Selection

Real JST Ordering Examples

Series	2-circuit housing	Female crimp terminal	Header example	Design check
PH, 2.0 mm	PHR-2	SPH-002T-P0.5S	PH-series mating header	2 A rating is specified by JST at AWG 24; apply derating as needed
XH, 2.5 mm	XHP-2	SXH-001T-P0.6	B2B-XH-A	Confirm wire range for the selected terminal suffix
SH, 1.0 mm	SHR-02V-S	SSH-003T-P0.2-H	BM02B-SRSS-TB	Small terminals require the dedicated applicator/tooling

These part numbers are manufacturer-listed components; they are a useful BOM starting point, not an assurance that every third-party “compatible” part mates or fits safely. See the official PH, XH and SH product pages.

Each JST series uses its own crimp terminal — terminals are NOT interchangeable between series.

Series	Terminal	Wire Range	Crimp Tool
SH	SSH-003T	28–32 AWG	IWS-2825
PH	SPH-002T	24–28 AWG	IWS-1424
XH	SXH-001T	22–28 AWG	IWS-1424
VH	SVH-21T	18–22 AWG	IWS-1218

Critical: Using the wrong crimp terminal (or a generic terminal) in a JST housing causes intermittent connections. The terminal’s retention tab must match the housing’s locking slot exactly.

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5. JST vs Generic “JST-Style” Connectors

Generic Chinese “JST-style” connectors are physically similar but often use:

• Different plastic (softer, lower melting point)
• Thinner contacts (higher resistance)
• Looser tolerances (poor retention)

Factor	Genuine JST	Generic JST-Style
Contact resistance	<20mΩ	20–50mΩ
Retention force	Consistent, specified	Variable, often loose
Mating cycles	30–50 (rated)	Unknown, may fail early
Cost	Higher	50–70% cheaper
Reliability	Documented	Not guaranteed

Do not assume that a part sold as “JST-compatible” is a drop-in replacement. Pitch alone does not establish mating, retention, terminal fit, PCB footprint, creepage or regulatory equivalence; compare the complete drawing and perform fit, pull and temperature-rise validation.

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6. GSConn JST-Compatible Series

Series	JST Compatible	Pitch	Current	Plating
W2B-SH	SH	1.0mm	1A	Tin
W2B-GH	GH	1.25mm	1A	Tin
W2B-PH	PH	2.0mm	2A	Tin / Gold
W2B-XH	XH	2.5mm	3A	Tin / Gold
W2B-VH	VH	3.96mm	7A	Tin
W2B-SM	SM	2.5mm	3A	Tin

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For any GSConn or other alternative connector, request the exact product drawing, terminal specification, plating data and qualification evidence. Confirm mating, retention, PCB footprint, current derating and regulatory requirements before declaring equivalence to a JST series.

Related reading:

• Wire-to-Board Selection Guide
• Crimp Tool & Crimping Quality Guide
• Wire-to-Board Pitch Guide

Related GSConn guides

Related reading on GSConn that complements jst-connector-types-guide:

• Wire-to-Board vs Board-to-Board Connector: Choosing the Right Family
• Request a JST-compatible connector BOM