Component Cross-Reference Finder
Type a part number and jump to the authoritative sources to find substitutes and equivalents.
What it does: Look up substitutes for a part on DigiKey, X-REFS and Findchips from one box.
When to use it: When a part is out of stock, obsolete, or you want a cheaper equivalent.
🛑 This tool finds substitutes on third-party sources — it keeps no equivalence list of its own. A cross-reference match is a starting point: always verify the candidate’s datasheet against your design before swapping.
MEANS Open any source below to see substitutes for — — each opens in a new tab with your part pre-searched.
Comparing common ICs by the numbers? Use the IC Parameter Comparison to pick an equivalent by parameter, then confirm with the datasheets.
No history yet. Each calculation is automatically saved to this device.
How to find a substitute
Type the part, choose a source, open and verify.
- 01
Type the part number
Enter the manufacturer part you want a substitute for, e.g.
LM358or2N2222. - 02
Pick the right source
DigiKey shows substitutes you can buy now; X-REFS spans every manufacturer; Findchips compares price and stock across distributors.
- 03
Open it and verify
The link opens the source in a new tab with your part pre-searched. Always check the candidate’s datasheet against your design before swapping.
Which cross-reference source to use
Each site is strong at something different — pick by what you need.
| Source | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DigiKey | Substitutes that are in stock and buyable now | Returns DigiKey’s own stocked alternates; good when you need to order today |
| X-REFS | Widest cross-reference across all manufacturers | Broadest coverage; not tied to one distributor |
| Findchips | Comparing price and availability | Aggregates many distributors so you can price-compare |
Cross-reference data is produced by these third-party sources (themselves often licensing pro data vendors); Circflow only links to them — it stores no equivalence data.
Common questions, answered in 3 minutes
How do I find a replacement for an obsolete part?
Search the original part on a cross-reference source: DigiKey and X-REFS both list manufacturer alternates, and X-REFS is broadest for end-of-life parts. Then read the candidate’s datasheet and confirm the package, pinout and key parameters match your design before committing.
How do I confirm a substitute can be dropped in?
A true drop-in must match the package and pinout, and meet or exceed every parameter your circuit relies on (supply range, current, speed, etc.). Compare them side by side — for common ICs you can use our parameter comparison — and always defer to the two datasheets. A “cross-reference” match is a starting point, not a guarantee.
Are the substitutes these sites return guaranteed compatible?
No. Cross-reference results indicate functionally similar parts, but compatibility depends on your specific design. Differences in pinout, package, tolerance, timing or supply range can break a swap. Verify against the datasheets and, where possible, prototype before production.
Does Circflow keep its own list of equivalents?
No. Building an accurate substitute database requires licensed professional data (the same vendors the big sites pay for), so we do not maintain one. This page only sends you to the authoritative sources, and our parameter comparison reuses our own verified data so you can judge equivalents by the numbers.
Standards and sources referenced by this tool
| Item | Value / Formula | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Substitute data | From DigiKey / X-REFS / Findchips | Third-party cross-reference sources |
| This tool | Redirector only — no stored equivalence data, no API | crossReference.js |
Substitute results come from third-party authoritative sources (DigiKey / X-REFS / Findchips); Circflow stores no equivalence data and calls no API. Always verify a candidate against your design and the datasheet before swapping.