A technique for attaching electronic components to a printed circuit board (PCB). In surface mount technology (SMT), the component's "legs" rest on top of pads etched into the PCB's copper surface, and are attached by blobs of solder. This is in contrast to through hole technology where the component's "legs" extend through a hole in the PCB. The hole is then filled in with solder to make a solid connection.

SMT allows for higher density (more components per unit area), double sided component mounting and lower assembly costs. The higher density is the greatest benefit of SMT.