diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index fe63a64..069c1ab 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ The hash is a list of `key=value` pairs. Keys may repeat.
 | `zoom` | `board`, `selected` or `highlight`, same as W, E and Z. Used when there is no view. `selected` (and E) fits the highlighted nets as drawn, on layers that are on or that show them with Net, and also fits the markers. |
 | `copper` | Shown copper layer, as named in the CAD tool, e.g. `copper=F`. Layers not listed are off; `copper=` alone hides them all. Add `:` and letters to show only some kinds: `t` tracks, `z` zones, `v` vias, `s` silk, `f` fab. `copper=In1.Cu:tv` shows tracks and vias on In1.Cu. |
 | `netcopper` | Copper layer that is off but still shows the highlighted nets on it, e.g. `netcopper=In1.Cu`. Takes the same `:LETTERS` as `copper`, e.g. `netcopper=In1.Cu:t` for tracks only. May repeat. Read only together with `copper`; layers not listed show nothing while off. |
-| `netlayers` | `1` turns on every layer the linked nets are routed on. |
+| `netlayers` | `1` turns on every layer the linked nets have copper on: tracks, zones or pads. |
 
 Example: `board.html#net=/ADC1/CS&net=GND&netlayers=1&zoom=selected`.
 
diff --git a/mcp/src/tools/link.js b/mcp/src/tools/link.js
index 5b93fee..bb71418 100644
--- a/mcp/src/tools/link.js
+++ b/mcp/src/tools/link.js
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ export const linkInput = {
     )
     .optional()
     .describe('Copper layers to show; the rest are hidden. [] hides them all. Leave out to keep the user\'s layers.'),
-  netlayers: z.boolean().optional().describe('Also show every layer the selected nets are routed on.'),
+  netlayers: z.boolean().optional().describe('Also show every layer the selected nets have tracks, zones or pads on.'),
   base_url: z
     .string()
     .optional()
diff --git a/tests/browser/interaction.spec.js b/tests/browser/interaction.spec.js
index 6544913..a766e96 100644
--- a/tests/browser/interaction.spec.js
+++ b/tests/browser/interaction.spec.js
@@ -933,6 +933,19 @@ test('T ticks Net on the layers the selected net is on, then unticks it', async
   for (const l of others) expect(s[l].net, l).toBe(false);
 });
 
+test('T ticks Net on a layer where the selected net has only pads', async ({ page }) => {
+  await load(page);
+  const onB = (s) => (fixture.pcbdata[s].B || []).map((t) => t.net);
+  const routedOnB = new Set([...onB('tracks'), ...onB('zones')]);
+  const pad = footprints.flatMap((fp) => fp.pads)
+    .find((p) => p.net && p.layers.includes('B') && !routedOnB.has(p.net));
+  expect(pad).toBeDefined();
+  await selectNetFromList(page, pad.net);
+  await page.evaluate(() => document.activeElement.blur());
+  await page.keyboard.press('t');
+  expect((await state(page)).layers.B.net).toBe(true);
+});
+
 // On a row that is off with Net ticked, tracks, zones and vias pick what is
 // drawn, so they are not dimmed. Silk stays dimmed.
 test('Net undims tracks, zones and vias on a row that is off', async ({ page }) => {
diff --git a/tests/browser/links.spec.js b/tests/browser/links.spec.js
index 29bea6f..ddd4325 100644
--- a/tests/browser/links.spec.js
+++ b/tests/browser/links.spec.js
@@ -309,6 +309,17 @@ test('netlayers=1 turns on the layers of the linked nets', async ({ page }) => {
   expect(s.layers[innerLayer].all).toBe(true);
 });
 
+test('netlayers=1 turns on a layer where a linked net has only pads', async ({ page }) => {
+  const onB = (s) => (fixture.pcbdata[s].B || []).map((t) => t.net);
+  const routedOnB = new Set([...onB('tracks'), ...onB('zones')]);
+  const pad = footprints.flatMap((fp) => fp.pads)
+    .find((p) => p.net && p.layers.includes('B') && !routedOnB.has(p.net));
+  expect(pad).toBeDefined();
+  await load(page, hashOf([['net', pad.net], ['copper', 'F'], ['netlayers', '1']]));
+  const s = await state(page);
+  expect(s.layers.B.all).toBe(true);
+});
+
 test('a shared link with layers restores the layer table', async ({ page, browser }) => {
   await load(page);
   await page.locator('#inner-layers-menu .menu-btn').hover();
diff --git a/tests/browser/smoke.spec.js b/tests/browser/smoke.spec.js
index baaf438..c46b3ae 100644
--- a/tests/browser/smoke.spec.js
+++ b/tests/browser/smoke.spec.js
@@ -147,3 +147,15 @@ test('a net routed on an inner layer lists that layer', async ({ page }) => {
   );
   expect(layers).toContain(layer);
 });
+
+// A net with pads on B and no tracks or zones there still touches B.
+test('a net with only pads on a layer lists that layer', async ({ page }) => {
+  await load(page);
+  const onB = (s) => (fixture.pcbdata[s].B || []).map((t) => t.net);
+  const routedOnB = new Set([...onB('tracks'), ...onB('zones')]);
+  const pad = fixture.pcbdata.footprints.flatMap((fp) => fp.pads)
+    .find((p) => p.net && p.layers.includes('B') && !routedOnB.has(p.net));
+  expect(pad).toBeDefined();
+  const layers = await page.evaluate((n) => window.__pcbaTest.netLayers(n), pad.net);
+  expect(layers).toContain('B');
+});
diff --git a/web/app.js b/web/app.js
index ec56647..3a55b7c 100644
--- a/web/app.js
+++ b/web/app.js
@@ -52,6 +52,10 @@ function buildIndexes() {
       var net = fp.pads[j].net;
       if (!net) continue;
       componentToNets[i].add(net);
+      // A net touches every layer it has a pad on, even with no track there
+      if (!netToLayers[net]) netToLayers[net] = new Set();
+      var padLayers = fp.pads[j].layers || [];
+      for (var p = 0; p < padLayers.length; p++) netToLayers[net].add(padLayers[p]);
       if (!netToComponents[net]) netToComponents[net] = [];
       if (!seenNets.has(net)) {
         seenNets.add(net);
@@ -59,7 +63,7 @@ function buildIndexes() {
       }
     }
   }
-  // Build netToLayers from tracks (skip vias) and zones
+  // Add the tracks (skip vias) and zones to netToLayers
   var _tl0 = performance.now();
   if (pcbdata.tracks) {
     for (var layer in pcbdata.tracks) {