Differential Trace Design Rules Truth vs Fiction:There is no shortage of design rules available when people talk about differential traces on circuit boards. At various times you can hear people argue that there is a need for, or there is no need for, a variety of special rules. In general, the rules fall into one or more of these five categories: Planes: There must be a continuous power system plane underneath the differential pair. Length: Care must be taken to ensure that differential traces are of equal length. Spacing 1: Care must be taken to place the traces as close together as possible. Spacing 2: Care must be taken to ensure that the spacing between traces is constant everywhere along the length of the traces. Impedance: Differential impedance rules must be applied.