At least in KiCad, the footprints of through-hole pin headers have one squared annular “ring”, the other ones are round:
What does the square indicate?
(Also I’m wondering if there is perhaps a convention of connecting GND to it.)
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6have you also noticed that the square usually has a `1` label? – jsotola Mar 24 '19 at 16:47
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5I'd say clear duplicate. – Marcus Müller Mar 24 '19 at 20:37
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1At least for KiCad the answer is very simple. It is specified that way in the library convention: http://kicad-pcb.org/libraries/klc/F7.3/ (Answer in comments as i can not create an answer to a duplicate question.) We are however slowly transitioning to using rounded rectangle pads instead of square ones. (Benefits: Better solder joint, more space for traces.) – Rene Pöschl Mar 25 '19 at 17:35
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@RenePöschl Can you delete the link (or comment linking to the old site)? – Seth Oct 20 '21 at 16:01
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It’s just a quick and easy way to distinguish which connector pad is pin 1.
Particularly when there is no silkscreen present or just when routing the PCB.
Edgar Brown
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9And there is **not** a convention of connecting ground to it! Don't even think that thought! – TimWescott Mar 24 '19 at 19:27
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12Of course there's a convention of connecting ground to it. It's just that there are also 17 other conventions. – Russell Borogove Mar 24 '19 at 22:33