Context-aware reliability checks

Embodiments of an electromigration (EM) check scheme to reduce a pessimism on current density limits by checking wire context. This methodology, in an embodiment, includes applying existing electronic design automation (EDA) flows and tools to identify potentially-failing wires based on a worst-case EM check using conservative foundry current density limits. A more accurate, context-specific check can be performed on the potentially-failing wires to eliminate one or more of the potentially-failing wires if those wires do not experience worst-case conditions and meet current density limits based on an actual context of those wires. A designer can correct remaining wires which are not eliminated by the context-specific check.