Raspberry Pi - GPIO Shrouded Header 13x2

The 13x2 GPIO Shrouded Header is an essential component for anyone designing custom Raspberry Pi add-on boards, HATs, breakout shields, or prototyping interfaces. With its standardized 0.1" (2.54mm) pitch, dual-row layout (2 rows of 13 pins), and keyed polarized shroud, this header is the professional-grade connector of choice for connecting custom hardware to the Raspberry Pi via a standard 26-pin GPIO ribbon cable.

The most important feature of this header — and what sets it apart from a basic male pin header — is the plastic shroud (or "box") around the pins with a polarity key (notch). This keyed design ensures that the ribbon cable can only be inserted in one direction, completely eliminating the risk of reversed connections that can damage your Raspberry Pi or your custom board. This level of foolproofing is especially valuable for educational settings, kit builds, and finished products where users may not be familiar with pin-1 conventions.

The 26 pins are arranged in 2 rows of 13, matching the classic 26-pin Raspberry Pi GPIO header found on Pi Models A and B. It's also compatible with the first 26 pins of the 40-pin GPIO headers found on Pi Model B+, Pi 2, Pi 3, Pi 4, Pi Zero, Zero W, and Zero 2 W — sufficient for the vast majority of GPIO-based projects.

The header uses high-quality through-hole (PTH) construction for strong, mechanically reliable solder joints. Its gold or tin-plated contacts provide low-resistance, durable electrical connections that withstand thousands of insertion and removal cycles. The shroud body is made of heat-resistant plastic that maintains its shape and integrity even after repeated soldering and use.

This header is the perfect companion to:

• Adafruit Perma-Proto boards for permanent Raspberry Pi prototypes
• Custom-designed PCBs in KiCad, EAGLE, or Fusion Electronics
• Perfboards and stripboards for one-off projects
• Educational electronics kits where polarity errors must be prevented

Whether you're building your first Raspberry Pi add-on, designing a commercial-grade HAT, or just need a safe, professional way to connect a ribbon cable to a custom PCB, this 13x2 shrouded header is a foundational component that delivers reliability, professionalism, and peace of mind.

Key Advantage Over Plain Headers: A standard 13x2 male header allows the ribbon cable to be inserted in either orientation, which can result in catastrophic wiring reversal. The shrouded version's keying ensures only one correct orientation is possible, protecting both your Raspberry Pi and your custom hardware from accidental damage.

Specifications

General

• Type: Shrouded Box Header (Male, IDC-Style)
• Configuration: 2 rows x 13 pins (26 pins total)
• Pitch (Spacing): 0.1" (2.54mm) — Standard
• Mounting Type: Through-Hole (PTH)
• Polarity: Keyed (notched shroud) — prevents reverse insertion
• Pin Material: Copper alloy
• Plating: Tin or gold-flash (typical)
• Shroud Material: Heat-resistant plastic (typically black)

Compatibility

• Raspberry Pi GPIO: Models A, B (full 26-pin GPIO)
• Raspberry Pi GPIO: Models B+, 2, 3, 4, Zero, Zero W, Zero 2 W (first 26 pins of 40-pin GPIO)
• Cables: Standard 26-pin (2x13) IDC ribbon cables
• Headers: Mates with female IDC-style ribbon cable connectors

Mechanical

• Pin Length: Standard through-hole (typically ~3mm above PCB and ~3mm below)
• Shroud Height: ~9mm above PCB (typical)
• Hole Diameter Required: ~1mm in PCB

Applications

• Custom Raspberry Pi HAT and add-on board design
• Permanent Raspberry Pi project boards (Perma-Proto)
• Sensor breakout boards for Pi GPIO
• Display driver boards (LCD, OLED, TFT, e-ink)
• Motor driver and robotics control boards
• Audio DAC and amplifier shields
• GPIO expansion modules
• Educational STEM and university kits
• Maker, hobbyist, and DIY electronics projects
• Industrial control prototypes with Raspberry Pi
• IoT gateway and smart home hub designs
• Custom enclosures with internal expansion boards
• Replacement header for damaged GPIO connectors
• Test fixtures and development jigs
• Production-grade prototypes that need foolproof connections
• Multi-board stacking systems