You don’t have to start from scratch every time you start your KiCAD projects. Discover KiCAD templates here.
Introduction
Starting a PCB project can be a monotonous process. You draw your schematic, set up the PCB layers, find the right via sizes, define your board outline, and others. However, did you know there are KiCAD templates that can help setup these things for you? Find about it here.
What are KiCAD Templates?
KiCAD templates are projects with pre-defined settings, footprints or components, and even schematics in them. These templates make it easy for you to start a new project without starting from scratch. With this, you can immediately focus on much important aspects of your design.
Where can you Find KiCAD Templates
Go to File -> New Project from Template to see both System Templates and User Templates on the tabs. The System Templates contain common templates for creating Arduino Shields, Arduino dev boards, STM32 connectors and expansion boards, RPI Hats, TI Launchpad boards, to name a few.
System Template Example - Create your Own Arduino NANO
The Arduino Nano template contains the board outline, connectors, mounting holes, and basic schematic of the connectors of the Nano. You can easily start creating your own Nano with this setup; no need to measure an actual board.
System Templte Example - Create your Own Raspberry Pi Hat
Every dimension, schematic, and component you need to start a Raspberry Pi HAT project is on the Raspberry Pi HAT template. Notes, such as those using HAT ID EEPROMS, are included.
How to Create your Own KiCAD Template
It’s easy to create your own KiCAD template. You can refer to the other System Templates if you want. However, below is a guide on how to create one.
Create a New Project with your Preferred Settings, Schematics, Components, and Libraries
Create an ordinary KiCAD project using File -> New Project. Put in your desired settings, schematics, components, board outline, and others. You can also include custom symbols or part libraries here if needed. You can then move or save this folder in the user template folder. This folder is usually located in: D:\Users\your_dir\Documents\KiCad\9.0\template\. The System templates are located in another area (C:\Program Files\KiCad\9.0\share\kicad\template). The folder will usually contain the basic structure of a KiCAD project. You can take out unnecessary files like cache files.
Below is an example project of making a simple Attenuator Board as a project.
Add a Meta Folder to Distinguish itself from other User Templates
The meta folder should contain basic information about the user template, such as icons, board picture, and HTML intro. The board picture (brd.png here) will be referenced on the intro.html file, while the icon.png picture is a 64×64 pixel image representation of the template.
Note on the structure of the intro.html file. It is similar to the system templates.
Attenuator Board
Attenuator Board
This is an attenuator board with screw mount headers. Basic attenuation is performed by 100 ohm resistors connected in series with the headers.

(c) 2025 Phipps Electronics
Test your Template Project from KiCAD
Go ahead and create a new project from your user template by going to File -> New Project from Template proceeding to the User Templates tab.
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