BRD File

What are BRD files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a BRD file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your BRD files.

What is a BRD file?

BRD files have multiple uses, and BorderMaker Project is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

BorderMaker Project

We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

How to open BRD files

Important: Different programs may use files with the BRD file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your BRD file is, you may need to try a few different programs.

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested ten different BRD openers which you will find listed below.

Last updated: August 5, 2026

All known file formats using extension .BRD

While BorderMaker Project is a popular type of BRD-file, we know of 5 different uses of the .BRD file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

EAGLE Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Drawing

The .brd is a CAD file created by using EAGLE. EAGLE, short for Easily Applicable Graphical Layout Editor, is an application primarily used in designing printed circuit boards that are used in many electronic devices and gadgets.

Normally, it is a layout or a blueprint generated to serve as a guide for the actual manufacturing of boards. BRD stands for "board". In other words, the .brd format is found on template files used in designing the circuitry of various devices. The .brd files can be also saved in Excellon drill format. CAM machines (computer-aided manufacturing machines) can recognize the Excellon drill format because the .brd file even when it is already converted contains data for CAE (computer-aided engineering). Therefore, the CAM can actualize the design of the .brd file and create a finished product.

KiCad Pcbnew PCB Layout

KiCad Pcbnew PCB Layout (.BRD) is the legacy ASCII text-format used by KiCad, versions 4.x and earlier, to store the full printed circuit board layout. It includes component placements (footprints), copper copper layers, silkscreen, solder masks, board edges, tracks, vias, zones and design-settings. This format was generated by KiCad's PCB editor (pcbnew) during design of circuit boards.

Files in this .BRD format are created when you save or export your board in an older KiCad project. Newer KiCad versions (since KiCad 4.0) still read these legacy .BRD files but do not write them by default: instead they use .kicad_pcb with the newer "s-expression" format.

Technical details: legacy .BRD files start with an ASCII header such as "PCBNEW-BOARD Version … date …", then use section blocks marked by identifiers like $GENERAL, $SETUP, $TRACK, $ZONE, $MODULE, $ENDMODULE, $ENDBOARD. Units may be in 1⁄10000-inch or in millimetres (floating point) depending on version. File contents include information about layer count, track widths, pad sizes, net names, board outline and graphic segments.

BRD opener for Windows

We have identified one BRD opener that is compatible with this specific type of BRD file.

Landrex/Testlink PCB Layout

We know that one BRD format is Landrex/Testlink PCB Layout. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Softdesk AdCADD Border Sheet

We know that one BRD format is Softdesk AdCADD Border Sheet. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of BRD files. Remember, different programs may use BRD files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

Help us help others

File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about BRD file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.