Pumpkin carving stencils — free printable templates
18 original jack-o'-lantern designs from easy faces to a witch on a broom. Print one, tape it on and carve the black parts. PDF (large or 4 per page) or PNG, US Letter or A4.
A4 versions: add &paper=a4 or use the “All stencils (A4)” button above.
How to use a pumpkin carving stencil
- Print the stencil. Use “Large” for a big pumpkin (about 8 in / 20 cm tall) and “4 per page” for small pie pumpkins.
- Cut the lid at an angle so it does not fall in, then scoop out the seeds and scrape the wall where you will carve to about 1 in (2.5 cm) thick.
- Tape the stencil to the pumpkin. Snip the paper edges so it lies flat on the curve.
- Transfer the design: poke small holes along every line with a pushpin or poking tool, about ⅛ in (3 mm) apart. Remove the paper and dust with flour to see the dots.
- Carve the black areas with a small serrated pumpkin saw, working from the center outward and sawing straight in. Push the pieces out from inside.
- Keep the white parts (the bridges) — they hold the design together.
The black areas on each stencil are the parts to cut out; everything white stays. Easy designs have big shapes and thick bridges and are good for a first pumpkin. Advanced designs (witch, haunted house, spider web) have more pieces and thinner bridges.
Safety tips for carving with kids
- Kids under 10 can draw, scoop and poke the dots; an adult does the cutting.
- Use pumpkin carving saws instead of kitchen knives — they are less likely to slip.
- Carve on a dry, flat table with good light, and keep hands out of the blade's path.
- Light jack-o'-lanterns with an LED tea light instead of a candle.
More Halloween printables: the plain pumpkin template for paper crafts, pumpkin coloring pages, pumpkin color by number, Halloween coloring pages, a Halloween bingo and the October collection.
Frequently asked questions
How do you print a pumpkin stencil the right size?
Pick “Large” to fill a Letter or A4 page (good for medium and large pumpkins) or “4 per page” for small pumpkins. Print at “Actual size”. To make it bigger or smaller, change the scale in your print dialog (e.g. 80% or 120%).
What are the easiest pumpkin carving stencils?
The happy jack-o'-lantern, cute face, ghost, bat, witch hat and candy corn are marked Easy: a few large shapes and thick bridges, so they are good for first-time carvers and kids helping an adult.
Can I use these stencils for painting or crafts?
Yes. Trace the black shapes onto a pumpkin with a marker and paint them instead of carving, or use them for paper jack-o'-lanterns on orange paper.
Are the stencils free?
Yes — every stencil is free to print for home, classroom and parties, as PDF or PNG, with no sign-up.