KiCad "Text height out of range": silkscreen text too small
KiCad design rule check (PCB) message: Text height out of range (text_height in kicad-cli reports).
What it means
A text item is smaller than the minimum text height in your rules. Text below what the fab can print comes out as a smudge. Resize it, usually all reference designators at once.
Common causes
- Small default text sizes in footprints.
- Text shrunk to fit a dense board.
How to fix it
- Use Edit → Edit Text & Graphic Properties to set height and thickness on all references at once.
Where the setting lives
Board Setup → Design Rules → Constraints → Text → Minimum text height and thickness.
What fabs need
JLCPCB lists 1.0 mm minimum silkscreen text height and PCBWay 0.8 mm, with a 0.15 mm minimum line width at both.
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Checked against KiCad 10's source and documentation. Last reviewed 2026-11-07.
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