pad hole size

[GilbertWaltoon]

Hi

I'm a newbie trying to make sense of some PCB design rules  (specifically on the JLCPCB site https://jlcpcb.com/capabilities/Capabilities

Under "Drill/Hole Size" they list things like "Min. Via Hole Size   0.2mm"   - Which is clear enough.

But they also have "Pad Size 0.7mm, the pad hole size will be enlarged 0.15 in production "
(The 0.7mm definitely refers to a hole size - I attach screenshot)

Why are PCB pad holes constrained to be so much larger than via holes?

Or to express my confusion another way, what is the difference between a via hole and a pad hole. Aren't both simply metallised holes through the pcb?

thanks for any help

Gilbert

[thm_w]

I don't see how it would matter. I'm sure I've used component "pads" that were <0.7mm (27mil).
As you say there is no real difference between a via and a pad of the same specifications.

If you are using kicad/altium there are pre-written design rules people have made, maybe for other packages as well: https://forum.kicad.info/t/jlcpcb-design-rules/22591/2