A Cross Platform and Open Source Electronics Design Automation Suite

KiCad
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KiCad

  -  1 GB  -  Open Source
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  • Latest Version

    KiCad 9.0.1 LATEST

  • Review by

    Sophia Jones

  • Operating System

    Windows 8 (64-bit) / Windows 10 (64-bit) / Windows 11

  • User Rating

    Click to vote

  • Author / Product

    KiCad Team / External Link

  • Filename

    kicad-9.0.1-x86_64.exe

KiCad is an open-source electronic design automation (EDA) software suite used for creating schematics, printed circuit board (PCB) layouts, and more.

KiCad Screenshot 1

Initially developed in 1992 by Jean-Pierre Charras, KiCad for PC has evolved significantly over the years, becoming one of the most popular tools for electronics hobbyists, engineers, and professionals alike.

Its robust feature set, combined with its open-source nature, makes it a versatile choice for PCB design, capable of handling both small-scale and complex projects.

Main Features

Schematic Capture

KiCad's Eeschema module allows users to create complex circuit schematics with ease. It includes a wide range of components and supports custom symbols. Users can easily create and manage hierarchical designs, which is particularly useful for large projects.

PCB Layout

The PCBNew module is where the magic happens for PCB design. It supports multi-layer boards, differential pair routing, and high-speed design. The interactive routing tool offers real-time design rule checking, ensuring that your design is manufacturable.

3D Viewer

It includes a powerful 3D viewer that lets you visualize your PCB in a 3D space. This feature helps in understanding the placement of components and verifying the physical layout before manufacturing.

Library Management

It provides extensive libraries of components, footprints, and symbols. It also allows users to create and manage their own libraries, ensuring that you have the exact parts you need for your design.

SPICE Simulation

This program integrates with Ngspice for circuit simulation, allowing you to test your circuits before building them physically. This feature is invaluable for verifying the functionality of your design.

User Interface

KiCad’s user interface is clean and functional, though it may seem a bit overwhelming to beginners due to the vast array of tools and features available.

KiCad Screenshot 2

The interface is divided into different modules—Eeschema for schematic capture, PCBNew for PCB layout, and more—each with its own set of tools and options.

The learning curve can be steep, but once familiar with the interface, users will find it highly efficient and customizable. It supports multiple windows and tabs, allowing for easy navigation between different parts of a project.

Installation and Setup

Download: Visit the official website or FileHorse and download the installer for your operating system.

Installation: Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions. The installation process typically takes a few minutes, depending on your system.

Initial Setup: Upon first launch, it prompts you to configure the default libraries and settings. This step is crucial as it ensures you have all the necessary components and tools available.

Getting Started: It offers a range of tutorials and documentation to help you get started. It’s recommended to go through these resources to familiarize yourself with the software.

KiCad Screenshot 3

How to Use
  • Create a Project: Start by creating a new project. It organizes everything into a project directory, making it easy to manage files.
  • Schematic Design: Use the Eeschema module to create your circuit schematic. Add components from the library, connect them using wires, and assign footprints to each component.
  • PCB Layout: Once your schematic is complete, switch to PCBNew to start laying out your PCB. Import the netlist from Eeschema and place your components on the board. Use the routing tools to connect the components.
  • 3D Visualization: Use the 3D viewer to check your PCB layout in a three-dimensional space. This step is essential for ensuring the physical design meets your expectations.
  • Manufacturing Files: Generate Gerber files and other necessary manufacturing files from PCBNew. These files are what you will send to your PCB manufacturer.
FAQ

Is KiCad suitable for professional use?
Yes, this program is widely used by professionals for commercial projects. Its feature set is robust enough to handle complex designs, and being open-source, it receives continuous improvements from the community.

Can I import projects from other EDA tools into KiCad?
It supports importing designs from other EDA tools like Eagle. However, the import process might require some adjustments to ensure compatibility.

Does KiCad have simulation capabilities?
Yes, it integrates with Ngspice for SPICE-based circuit simulation. This feature allows you to simulate and verify your circuits before building them.

Is there a limit to the size or complexity of a project in KiCad?
No, the app does not impose any artificial limits on the size or complexity of your project. It can handle multi-layer boards, high pin-count components, and large designs.

How can I learn KiCad efficiently?
The community offers extensive documentation, tutorials, and forums. Additionally, there are many video tutorials available online that can help you learn the software quickly.

Alternatives

Eagle: A popular EDA tool by Autodesk, Eagle offers similar functionality but comes with a steeper price tag and limitations on board size in the free version.

Altium Designer: Altium is a high-end EDA tool used by professionals in the industry.

Fritzing: Fritzing is an open-source tool designed for beginners and hobbyists.

LTspice: Fast, and free SPICE simulator software, schematic capture and waveform viewer.

Pricing

This software is completely FREE and open-source, with no restrictions on its use.

This makes it an attractive option for both hobbyists and professionals who need powerful PCB design software without the high cost.

System Requirements
  • Operating System: Windows 11, 10, 8 or 7
  • Processor: 1 GHz or faster processor
  • Memory: 2 GB RAM minimum (4 GB or more recommended)
  • Storage: 2 GB of available disk space
  • Graphics: OpenGL 2.1 or higher-compatible graphics card
PROS
  • Free and open-source
  • Robust feature set for professional use
  • Multi-platform support
  • Extensive community resources
CONS
  • User interface can be overwhelming at first
  • Occasional bugs and glitches
Conclusion

KiCad is a powerful and versatile EDA tool that is well-suited for both beginners and professionals. Its open-source nature, combined with a comprehensive feature set, makes it an excellent choice for PCB design.

While it has a learning curve, the benefits of using this program far outweigh the initial challenges. Whether you’re working on a small hobby project or a complex commercial design, it provides all the tools you need to bring your ideas to life.

Also Available: KiCad for Mac

Download KiCad Latest Version

  • KiCad 9.0.1 Screenshots

    The images below have been resized. Click on them to view the screenshots in full size.

    KiCad 9.0.1 Screenshot 1
  • KiCad 9.0.1 Screenshot 2
  • KiCad 9.0.1 Screenshot 3

What's new in this version:

General:
- Vertically center text in cells in job sets table.
- Automatically recognize URLs in symbol and footprint properties grids
- Show URL button when hovering in field properties grids
- Support bare hyperlinks in table cells and text boxes
- Fix inconsistent capitalization in "Add New Job" dialog
- Fix misleading label "output file" for some schematic output jobs
- Ensure project manager hotkeys appear in hotkeys list
- Fixed description column naming when changing job sets
- Support pinning/unpinning multiple libraries in the library editors
- Do not persist fallback canvas type due to OpenGL failure.
- Prompt to enable IPC API when required by plugin
- Fix project manager performance using projects tracked with Git
- Fix crash when accessing footprints of imported Altium *.IntLib files
- Show project manager hot keys in hot key list
- Fix git clone project dialog layout issues
- Properly restore panels for all editors
- Fix crash on start when no git repository is present
- Persist generate gerber job file setting
- Prevent extra curves when importing certain SVG files
- Persist some missing job set arguments
- Use Gerber job settings not in job sets
- Fix schematic plot to PDF for job sets
- Fix button alignment in job set run log dialog
- Support ctrl-delete for delete word forward
- Fix opening embedded PDF files
- Fix segfault when opening a project which has git repository with SSH keys configured to GitHub
- Fix a git2 related crash when closing KiCad

Schematic Editor:
- Prevent image duplication when pasting from clipboard
- Properly handle importing Altium harnesses
- Resolve field references in symbol text items
- Update instance reference from property inspector
- Pretty print cross references in "Symbol Fields Table" dialog
- Remove prohibition from clearing value field in Symbol Fields Table dialog
- Do not load old symbols with all fields set to visible
- Prevent crash when importing over existing project
- Make exclude from simulation indicators more subtle.
- Allow simulation models to reference embedded files
- Correct mirror location of text box
- Fix formatting of field file formatting that broke loading files with 9.0.0
- Ensure sheet file name color is respected
- Don’t trigger ERC error when no connect is connected to a no connect object
- Fix multi-unit symbol when importing Altium schematics.
- Ensure imported Altium schematic sheet names are unique
- Don’t translate file dialog "All Files" filter string.
- Fix loading schematic with embedded files
- Don’t wait for mouse move to draw selection shadows
- Do not print all pages with the first page border and title block
- Keep the full depth of the hierarchy in bookmarks when plotting to PDF
- Use stable sort ordering in ERC reports
- Correctly handle duplicate entries in BOM presets
- Fix schematic load failure

Symbol Editor:
- Restore export symbol feature
- Handle exporting symbols into existing libraries
- Fix creation of a new symbol library due to an issue with write permissions
- Fix crash when deleting footprint filter when no filter selected

Spice Simulator:
- Fix net name quoting issue for user defined signals
- Resolve hotkey conflicts
- Fix crash when attempting to run IBIS simulation

Board Editor:
- Improve performance of creepage DRC.
- Add "Route Selected From Other End" action to edit context menu
- Don’t disable line styles on filled shapes
- Add field 'Name' property to properties panel
- Improve performance of teardrop generation.
- Do not throw DRC error "unconnected end" when via has no net
- Properly save "view board mirrored" preset setting
- Fix incorrect plot of tables rotated +-90
- Ensure drill layer pairs are created in ODB++
- Fix broken report file stacking relationship
- Reduce height of board setup dialog
- Prevent invisible vias in dimmed inactive layer view mode from auxiliary layers
- Fix zone manager dialog layout issues
- Prevent ignored violation "No-Mirrored text on back layer" from displaying a red arrow after DRC
- Prevent layer specific solder mask overrides as they are not supported
- Prevent duplicate Gerber output of linear dimension arrows
- Fix export SVG mode logic
- Fix crash related to git support
- Do not remove solder mask relief when length matching tools are used
- Do not warn for all connected pads when modifying a single trace width
- Do not include fabrication values on silk screen gerber output
- Prevent orphaned track on a zone when connected to the net of the zone
- Ensure pad clearance lines are always drawn not only when footprint is selected
- Disable multiple via dragging
- Fix plotting of tables with non-90 degree rotation angles.
- Improve default sizes of appearance panels
- User defined layer bug fixes
- Prevent pad losing layers when footprint is flipped
- Move arrow direction to more appropriate section of dimension properties dialog
- Printing should never hide small elements
- Fix Specctra export for multiple netclasses.
- Fix crash when placing certain footprints
- Fix DRC memory leak
- Add DRC for tables.
- Prevent leaving vias behind after retreating from a PNS router push
- Fix crash in multiple drag PNS shove
- Allow DRC rule to reduce the number of spokes
- Don’t ignore tables on copper layer using PNS router
- Fix false positive DRC error for zones with rotated tables
- Fix stuttery zoom performance
- Fix DRC exclusion for Edge.Cuts on layer legend after DRC rerun
- Prevent creepage DRC violation indicators from disappearing on repeated runs
- Prevent creepage DRC from only checking front copper layer
- Use correct date format in misc/info file when exporting ODB++
- Update footprint properties even when footprint cannot be updated
- Fix DRC false positive when arc used as trace
- Use user interface order for drill report stack up
- Fix crash when attempting to place vias in differential routing against pads
- Correctly plot "Indicate DNP on fabrication layers"
- Use correct rectangle height and width after setting grid origin in properties panel

Footprint Editor:
- Do not allow renaming a footprint to silently overwrite existing footprint
- Fix crash on second "Edit Pad as Graphics Shapes" operation
- Don’t disable first internal layer
- Prevent false positive error message when creating fillet line
- Fix crash when increasing number of copper layers if board contains a footprint with custom padstack

Gerber Viewer:
- Ignore negative layers when exporting Gerbers to PCB

3D Viewer:
- Don’t render thickness walls of text not being drawn
- Put layers without defined board side on front of board
- Allow default color settings to be reset
- Correctly render tables

PCB Calculator:
- Fix incorrect formula for strip line conductor loss.

Command Line Interface:
- Fix broken PCB SVG output
- Add IPC-D-356 export
- Deprecate instead of remove --plot-invisible-text option from PCB exporters
- Restore the page size mode behavior

Libraries:
- Added 200 new symbols and 252 new footprints
- Regenerated over 10000 generated footprints in Version 9 format
- 72% of all footprints in the library are now automatically generated

API:
- Add serialization of footprint mounting style. kicad-python#19
- Refresh board editor after changing selection
- Add board origin setter and getter methods. kicad-python#20
- Fix crash when updating reference designators via API
- Fix build with protobuf 30

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