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How to Import KiCad Footprints into Protoboard Designer

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

If you already use KiCad, you can bring your libraries with you—Protoboard Designer reads KiCad footprints natively, so you keep the same .kicad_mod assets. Add files from your computer or pull symbols straight from public GitHub repositories without maintaining a separate library format. Open the web app when you are ready to drop imported footprints onto a board.

What is a KiCad footprint?

A KiCad footprint (.kicad_mod) describes the physical layout of a component on a PCB—pad positions, silkscreen outline, and courtyard boundaries. Protoboard Designer reads these files directly, so your existing component libraries just work.

Option 1 — Import from a Local File​

Use a local import when you already downloaded a footprint or maintain a personal library folder on disk. The editor copies the footprint into your session so you can place it like any built-in part.

  1. Open the Footprint Library panel from the toolbar or side menu.
  2. Tap Add Source.
  3. Select Local File.
  4. Browse to your .kicad_mod file and select it.
  5. Wait until the footprint appears in the library list, then drag it onto your board canvas.
Finding KiCad libraries on disk

If KiCad is installed, footprints often live under the KiCad share/kicad/footprints directory on Linux, inside the KiCad application bundle on macOS, or under Program Files/KiCad on Windows. Copy the .kicad_mod you need into a workspace folder you control before you import.

Local File option in Footprint Library Add Source dialog for KiCad footprint import
Local File option in Footprint Library Add Source dialog for KiCad footprint import

Option 2 — Import from GitHub (Recommended)​

GitHub import skips the manual download step—you paste a public repository URL and browse footprints in place. You can tap community libraries that track new parts daily, including the official KiCad collection mirrored on GitHub.

  1. Open the Footprint Library panel.
  2. Tap Add Source.
  3. Select GitHub Repository.
  4. Paste the repository URL and confirm.
  5. Browse the footprint list and drag parts onto your board.
Official KiCad footprint library

The official KiCad library contains thousands of verified component footprints. Add it with this URL:

https://github.com/KiCad/kicad-footprints

GitHub Repository import dialog for KiCad footprints online in Protoboard Designer
GitHub Repository import dialog for KiCad footprints online in Protoboard Designer

Supported KiCad Versions​

Protoboard Designer reads the .kicad_mod footprint format used by KiCad 5, 6, and 7 — newer KiCad releases keep using the same format, so their footprints typically import as well. If you encounter a footprint that does not import correctly, please contact us at info@protoboarddesigner.com.

Plans

Importing footprints into your reusable library (this guide) is part of the Maker plan and up. Opening full Sprint Layout (.lay6) and Eagle (.brd) boards as new projects is free on every plan — see Import a Sprint Layout project and Import an Eagle board.

Troubleshooting​

My footprint imported but the pads are in wrong positions​

The footprint may rely on a different grid than your editor grid. Open the grid settings in Protoboard Designer and match the footprint’s native pitch—2.54 mm is common for through-hole parts, while many surface-mount footprints use 0.5 mm spacing.

GitHub import shows an error​

Confirm the repository is public and contains .kicad_mod files in the repository root or a subfolder. Private repositories are not supported.

The footprint looks correct but is the wrong size​

KiCad footprints use millimeters internally. Switch your board units to mm (not mil) in Protoboard Designer before you compare dimensions.

What's next?