Installing KiCad

System Requirements

Before installing KiCad, ensure your system meets these minimum requirements:

Operating System

Windows 10 or later
macOS 10.14 (Mojave) or later
Linux (Ubuntu 20.04+, Fedora 33+, or equivalent)

Hardware

RAM: 4GB minimum, 8GB recommended
Storage: 1GB for KiCad, 5GB+ with libraries
Graphics: OpenGL 2.1+ capable GPU

KiCad requires OpenGL support for the modern canvas renderer and 3D viewer. Integrated graphics are sufficient for most designs.

KiCad Components

KiCad consists of three main packages:

kicad - Core Programs

The main KiCad programs including Eeschema, Pcbnew, 3D Viewer, and all editing tools. This is the only required component.

kicad-doc - Documentation (Optional)

Interactive help files, getting started guides, and reference documentation. Highly recommended for new users.

kicad-library - Libraries (Optional but Recommended)

Schematic symbols, PCB footprints, and 3D models. Essential for most projects unless you plan to create all components from scratch.

Data files (schematics, boards, libraries) are compatible across all platforms, but always use the same KiCad version when sharing projects to avoid compatibility issues.

Installation by Platform

Windows
macOS
Linux

Windows Installation

Method 1: Official Installer (Recommended)

Download the Installer

Visit https://kicad.org/download/ and download the latest Windows installer (.exe file).Choose between:

Stable Release - Recommended for production work
Nightly Build - Latest features, may be unstable

Run the Installer

Double-click the downloaded installer and follow the installation wizard.

The installer requires administrator privileges. Accept the UAC prompt if shown.

Select Components

Choose which components to install:

✅ KiCad (Required)
✅ Documentation (Recommended)
✅ Libraries (Highly Recommended)
✅ 3D Models (Optional, ~2GB)

Default installation path: C:\Program Files\KiCad\

Complete Installation

Wait for the installation to complete. This may take 5-15 minutes depending on selected components.

Windows-Specific Settings

For Windows builds, KiCad includes optional DPI awareness for high-resolution displays:

# From CMakeLists.txt
cmake_dependent_option( KICAD_WIN32_DPI_AWARE
    "Turn on DPI awareness for Windows builds only"
    OFF "WIN32"
    OFF )

On Windows 11 with high-DPI displays, KiCad automatically scales correctly. If you experience scaling issues, right-click the KiCad shortcut > Properties > Compatibility > Change high DPI settings.

Verification

After installation:

Launch KiCad from the Start Menu
Check Help > About KiCad to verify version
Navigate to Preferences > Manage Symbol Libraries to verify library installation

macOS Installation

Method 1: DMG Installer (Recommended)

Download the DMG

Visit https://kicad.org/download/ and download the macOS DMG file.

Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3): Download ARM64 version
Intel Macs: Download x86_64 version

Mount and Install

Open the downloaded DMG file
Drag the KiCad application bundle to your Applications folder
Wait for the copy operation to complete

First Launch

When launching KiCad for the first time, you may see a security warning.

Open System Preferences > Security & Privacy
Click “Open Anyway” to allow KiCad to run
Alternatively, right-click KiCad.app > Open

Install Libraries

Download and install the optional libraries package:

Download the libraries DMG from the KiCad website
Follow the same installation process
Libraries install to /Library/Application Support/kicad/

For Apple Silicon Macs: KiCad runs natively on Apple Silicon. The ARM64 version provides better performance and battery life than the Intel version running under Rosetta 2.

Method 2: Homebrew

For advanced users with Homebrew installed:

# Install KiCad via Homebrew Cask
brew install --cask kicad

# Verify installation
kicad --version

macOS-Specific Notes

# From CMakeLists.txt
if( APPLE )
    # Apple, in their infinite wisdom, has decided to mark OpenGL as deprecated.
    # Luckily we can silence warnings about its deprecation.
    add_compile_definitions( GL_SILENCE_DEPRECATION=1 )
endif()

macOS has deprecated OpenGL, but KiCad continues to function normally. Apple’s Metal API support may be added in future versions.

Linux Installation

Ubuntu / Debian

Add Official PPA (Ubuntu)

For the latest stable version on Ubuntu:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kicad/kicad-7.0-releases
sudo apt update

For nightly builds:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kicad/kicad-dev-nightly
sudo apt update

Install KiCad

# Install KiCad core and libraries
sudo apt install kicad kicad-libraries

# Optional: Install documentation
sudo apt install kicad-doc-en  # Or your language: -de, -fr, -es, etc.

# Optional: Install 3D models
sudo apt install kicad-packages3d

Verify Installation

# Check KiCad version
kicad --version

# Launch KiCad
kicad

Fedora

# Install from official repositories
sudo dnf install kicad kicad-doc kicad-packages3d

# Launch KiCad
kicad

Arch Linux

# Install from official repositories
sudo pacman -S kicad kicad-library kicad-library-3d

# Launch KiCad
kicad

Flatpak (Universal)

For any Linux distribution with Flatpak support:

# Install Flatpak version
flatpak install flathub org.kicad.KiCad

# Launch KiCad
flatpak run org.kicad.KiCad

The Flatpak version is sandboxed and may have limited access to system resources. Use native packages for better integration.

Linux File Locations

# Default Linux installation paths (from INSTALL.txt)
${prefix}/bin                    # Binaries (default: /usr/local/bin)
${prefix}/lib/kicad              # Shared libraries
${prefix}/share/doc/kicad        # Documentation
${prefix}/share/doc/kicad/help   # Interactive help
${prefix}/share/kicad/demos      # Sample projects
${prefix}/share/kicad/template   # Project templates
${prefix}/share/kicad/library    # Symbol libraries
${prefix}/share/kicad/modules    # Footprint libraries
${prefix}/share/kicad/3dmodels   # 3D models (.wrl, .step)
${prefix}/share/kicad/resources  # Resource files

Important: Do not change the KiCad installation tree or the location of binary files. KiCad uses these paths to locate its required files.

Wayland Support

For systems using Wayland display server:

# From CMakeLists.txt
cmake_dependent_option( KICAD_WAYLAND
    "Support Wayland features"
    ON "UNIX_NOT_APPLE"
    OFF )

KiCad includes native Wayland support enabled by default on Linux builds.

Post-Installation Setup

Configure Library Tables

After installation, configure your library paths:

Launch KiCad

Open KiCad Project Manager for the first time

Configure Symbol Libraries

Navigate to Preferences > Manage Symbol LibrariesKiCad should auto-detect installed libraries. Verify that the global library table contains entries like:

Device - Common components (R, C, L, etc.)
Connector - Connectors and headers
MCU_* - Microcontroller symbols

Configure Footprint Libraries

Navigate to Preferences > Manage Footprint LibrariesVerify standard footprint libraries are loaded:

Resistor_SMD - SMD resistor footprints
Capacitor_SMD - SMD capacitor footprints
Package_* - IC package footprints

Set 3D Model Paths

Navigate to Preferences > Configure PathsVerify the KICAD7_3DMODEL_DIR path variable points to your 3D models directory.

Configure Basic Preferences

Preferences > Preferences > Common > Graphics
- Canvas: Accelerated graphics (recommended)
- Anti-aliasing: High quality
- Grid style: Small dots

Preferences > Preferences > Common > Mouse and Touchpad
- Scroll modifier: Choose based on preference
- Zoom acceleration: Medium
- Auto-pan: Enabled (optional)

Preferences > Preferences > [Eeschema/Pcbnew] > Colors
- Select color theme: KiCad Default or choose custom theme
- Background color: White or Black (preference)

Verify Installation

Test your installation by exploring included demo projects:

Open Demo Project

In KiCad Project Manager, navigate to File > Open ProjectBrowse to the demos directory:

Windows: C:\Program Files\KiCad\share\kicad\demos\
macOS: /Applications/KiCad/KiCad.app/Contents/SharedSupport/demos/
Linux: /usr/share/kicad/demos/

Open Schematic

Open pic_programmer/pic_programmer.kicad_proDouble-click the .kicad_sch file to open in Eeschema

Test 3D Viewer

Open the PCB file in PcbnewClick View > 3D Viewer to verify OpenGL functionalityYou should see a 3D rendering of the board with components

If the 3D viewer shows a blank screen or errors, update your graphics drivers. KiCad requires OpenGL 2.1 or higher.

Optional: Python Scripting Support

KiCad supports Python scripting for automation and plugins:

# From CMakeLists.txt
option( KICAD_SCRIPTING_WXPYTHON
    "Build wxPython implementation for wx interface building in Python and py.shell (default ON)."
    ON )

Python scripting is enabled by default on all platforms. To verify:

Open Pcbnew
Navigate to Tools > Scripting Console
Test with a simple command:

import pcbnew
board = pcbnew.GetBoard()
print(f"Board has {board.GetNetCount()} nets")

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

KiCad won't launch or crashes immediately

Cause: Usually graphics driver issues or missing OpenGL supportSolutions:

Update your graphics drivers to the latest version
Try software rendering mode (slower but more compatible)
Check if your GPU supports OpenGL 2.1+

On Linux, install required OpenGL libraries:

sudo apt install libglu1-mesa libgl1-mesa-glx

Libraries not found / symbols missing

Cause: Library paths not configured correctlySolutions:

Reinstall the kicad-libraries package
Manually configure library paths in Preferences
Download libraries from https://gitlab.com/kicad/libraries

High-DPI display issues (blurry or tiny interface)

Cause: DPI scaling not configured properlySolutions:

Windows: Right-click shortcut > Properties > Compatibility > Change high DPI settings
Linux: Set environment variable: export GDK_SCALE=2
macOS: Should work automatically, report bug if not

Cannot save files / permission denied

Cause: Insufficient permissions in project directorySolutions:

Create projects in your user home directory, not system folders
On Linux, check file permissions: chmod -R u+w ~/kicad_projects/
Don’t install projects in Program Files (Windows)

Building from Source

For advanced users who want to compile KiCad from source:

Most users should use pre-built binaries. Building from source is only necessary for development or custom builds.

Requirements

# From INSTALL.txt and CMakeLists.txt
CMake 3.22 or higher (3.28.1+ for MSVC ARM builds)
C++ compiler with C++17 support
  - GCC 7+
  - Clang 5+
  - MSVC 2017+

Quick Build Instructions

Linux Build
macOS Build
Windows Build

# Install build dependencies (Ubuntu/Debian)
sudo apt install cmake build-essential libwxgtk3.2-dev \
  libboost-all-dev libglew-dev libglm-dev libcurl4-openssl-dev \
  libcairo2-dev libpixman-1-dev libssl-dev python3-dev

# Clone repository
git clone https://gitlab.com/kicad/code/kicad.git
cd kicad

# Create build directory
mkdir build && cd build

# Configure with CMake
cmake .. \
  -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release \
  -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=/usr/local

# Build (use -j for parallel compilation)
make -j$(nproc)

# Install
sudo make install

# Install dependencies via Homebrew
brew install cmake wxwidgets boost glew glm cairo pixman openssl python@3

# Clone repository
git clone https://gitlab.com/kicad/code/kicad.git
cd kicad

# Create build directory
mkdir build && cd build

# Configure with CMake
cmake .. \
  -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release \
  -DCMAKE_OSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET=10.14

# Build
make -j$(sysctl -n hw.ncpu)

# Create app bundle
make install

# Use vcpkg for dependencies
# See detailed instructions at: https://dev-docs.kicad.org/en/build/windows/

git clone https://gitlab.com/kicad/code/kicad.git
cd kicad
mkdir build
cd build

# Configure with CMake (adjust paths as needed)
cmake .. -G "Visual Studio 17 2022" -A x64 \
  -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release

# Build
cmake --build . --config Release

For complete build documentation, visit https://dev-docs.kicad.org/en/build/

Next Steps

Now that KiCad is installed and configured, you’re ready to create your first project:

Quick Start Guide

Follow our step-by-step guide to create your first schematic and PCB layout

Getting Started

Core Applications

Design Workflow

Advanced Features

Installing KiCad

System Requirements

Operating System

Hardware

KiCad Components

Installation by Platform

Windows Installation

Method 1: Official Installer (Recommended)

Windows-Specific Settings

Verification

macOS Installation

Method 1: DMG Installer (Recommended)

Method 2: Homebrew

macOS-Specific Notes

Linux Installation

Ubuntu / Debian

Fedora

Arch Linux

Flatpak (Universal)

Linux File Locations

Wayland Support

Post-Installation Setup

Configure Library Tables

Configure Basic Preferences

Verify Installation

Optional: Python Scripting Support

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Building from Source

Requirements

Quick Build Instructions

Next Steps

Quick Start Guide

​System Requirements

Operating System

Hardware

​KiCad Components

​Installation by Platform

​Windows Installation

​Method 1: Official Installer (Recommended)

​Windows-Specific Settings

​Verification

​macOS Installation

​Method 1: DMG Installer (Recommended)

​Method 2: Homebrew

​macOS-Specific Notes

​Linux Installation

​Ubuntu / Debian

​Fedora

​Arch Linux

​Flatpak (Universal)

​Linux File Locations

​Wayland Support

​Post-Installation Setup

​Configure Library Tables

​Configure Basic Preferences

​Verify Installation

​Optional: Python Scripting Support

​Troubleshooting

​Common Issues

​Building from Source

​Requirements

​Quick Build Instructions

​Next Steps

Quick Start Guide

System Requirements

KiCad Components

Installation by Platform

Windows Installation

Method 1: Official Installer (Recommended)

Windows-Specific Settings

Verification

macOS Installation

Method 1: DMG Installer (Recommended)

Method 2: Homebrew

macOS-Specific Notes

Linux Installation

Ubuntu / Debian

Fedora

Arch Linux

Flatpak (Universal)

Linux File Locations

Wayland Support

Post-Installation Setup

Configure Library Tables

Configure Basic Preferences

Verify Installation

Optional: Python Scripting Support

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Building from Source

Requirements

Quick Build Instructions

Next Steps