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KiCad — EDA Design Guide

Last reviewed: 2026-09-17

KiCad is a free and open-source Electronic Design Automation (EDA) suite for schematic capture, PCB layout, 3D visualization, and Gerber file generation. It's a professional-grade tool used by hobbyists, startups, and increasingly by industry engineers.

Overview

KiCad provides a complete workflow for printed circuit board design:

Tool Purpose
Eeschema Schematic editor — draw circuit diagrams
Pcbnew PCB layout editor — place components, route traces
Gerber Viewer Preview manufacturing files
3D Viewer Visualize the board in 3D
Symbol/Footprint Editors Create custom components
Calculator Tools Track width, impedance, color codes

Topics Covered

  • Page setup — configuring the schematic page size and title block
  • Measurement units — switching between mm and mils in Pcbnew
  • Object selection — Ctrl+A to select all components on a layer
  • Object movement — M to move selected components

Basic Workflow

1. Create a new project (.pro / .kicad_pro)
2. Draw the schematic in Eeschema
   - Place symbols (Resistor, Capacitor, ICs, etc.)
   - Wire connections
   - Assign footprints to each symbol
   - Run ERC (Electrical Rules Check)
3. Annotate schematic (Tools > Annotate)
4. Generate netlist → open Pcbnew
5. Place components on board outline
6. Route traces (manual or auto-router)
7. Run DRC (Design Rules Check)
8. Add copper pours (ground planes)
9. View 3D model
10. Generate Gerber files for manufacturing

Key Concepts

Layers

Layer Purpose
F.Cu Top copper (signal traces)
B.Cu Bottom copper
F.Mask / B.Mask Solder mask openings
F.SilkS / B.SilkS Silkscreen labels
Edge.Cuts Board outline
In1.Cu, In2.Cu Inner layers (4+ layer boards)

Design Rules

  • Clearance — Minimum distance between copper features
  • Track width — Depends on current (1 oz copper: ~1A per 10 mil for 10°C rise)
  • Via size — Drill diameter + annular ring (typically 0.3 mm drill, 0.6 mm pad)
  • Net classes — Assign different rules (power, signal, differential pairs)

Keyboard Shortcuts (Memory Aid)

  • Ctrl+A — Select all on layer
  • M — Move component
  • R — Rotate (in Pcbnew)
  • V — Add via while routing
  • X — Route track (start routing)
  • Delete — Remove selected item
  • Add — Add component or footprint
  • Ctrl+D — Duplicate

Tips for Beginners

  1. Start small — Design a simple LED + resistor circuit first
  2. Use existing libraries — KiCad ships with extensive symbol/footprint libraries
  3. Always run DRC — Don't send a board to manufacturing without checking
  4. Use ground planes — Pour copper on unused layers for better EMI/grounding
  5. Label everything — Silk screen reference designators, pin names, board version
  6. Check datasheets — Get footprint dimensions from component datasheets, not guesses

Resources

To-do

Status: incomplete. Still to write:

  • Expand the four 'Topics Covered' bullets (schematic page setup, mm↔mil switching, Ctrl+A layer selection, M to move) from one-line names into actual instructions with the dialogs and shortcuts involved.
  • Add the worked example 'Tips for Beginners' promises — a simple LED + resistor board taken through Eeschema (symbols, wiring, footprints, ERC), netlist, Pcbnew placement and routing, DRC, ground pour and Gerber export.
  • Document the 'Fritzing → KiCad workflow' listed in Resources, which is currently only a title with no steps or links.
  • Add the missing operational detail to the 10-step 'Basic Workflow' outline (how to place symbols, assign footprints, run ERC/DRC, generate Gerbers).