Pumpkin Carving Stencils
Free, simple stencils for your jack-o'-lantern. Pick a design, choose your pumpkin size, print and carve. We have ghosts, bats, cats, faces and more.
- ✓Free, no sign-up
- ✓Carve-checked
- ✓Prints to fit your pumpkin
- ✓Step-by-step carving mode
Cat11 stencils
Ghost10 stencils
Bat9 stencils
Witch9 stencils
Owl10 stencils
Dog11 stencils
Unicorn9 stencils
Dinosaur9 stencils
Jack-o'-Lantern Faces19 stencils
Easy12 stencils
Cute10 stencils
Scary8 stencils
Funny8 stencilsEasy: a few big shapes, kids 6+ help, about 20 min. Medium: more parts, ages 10+, about 45 min. The pictures of carved pumpkins are AI-made examples.
Make Your Own Jack-o'-Lantern Face
Pick eyes, a nose and a mouth. Every mix is carve-checked: the parts always stay at least ⅝ in (15 mm) apart, so nothing breaks or falls out.
Every stencil prints at the right size for your pumpkin, with numbers that show the carving order.
How to Carve a Pumpkin with a Stencil
- Pick a stencil and your pumpkin size. We scale the print so the design fits the smooth front of your pumpkin.
- Open and scoop the pumpkin. Cut the lid in the back, not on top. Scrape the front wall to about 1 in (2.5 cm) thick.
- Tape the stencil on. Small snips in the paper edge help it lie flat on the round pumpkin.
- Poke the outline. Push a pin tool through the lines about every ⅛ in (3 mm). Take the paper off and connect the dots with a marker.
- Carve in number order. The numbers on the sheet show the order: small parts first, the big shape last. Saw straight in and don't twist.
- Light it up. An LED tea light is bright and safe. Adults should handle the saws, while kids can help scoop the seeds.
Carving with a phone next to you? Open a stencil and tap Carve along. Your phone shows one piece at a time and the screen stays on. Too young for a saw? Kids under 6 can poke the dots, or tap Color it and color the stencil online.
Moon Window, Silhouette or Face?
Moon window
A big round moon glows and the shape stays as dark pumpkin skin. It looks amazing from the street.
Silhouette
The whole shape glows. You cut only one or two big shapes, so it is the easiest kind to carve with kids.
Face
Eyes, nose and mouth go right on the pumpkin. The pumpkin becomes the character's head.
Measure your pumpkin from the bottom to the stem before you print, so the stencil fits the smooth front.
What Size Stencil Fits My Pumpkin?
The stencil should cover about two thirds of your pumpkin's height. Every stencil here is checked at each size: if a bridge would get too thin, that size is not offered.
| Pumpkin height | Stencil size | Stencils that fit |
|---|---|---|
| Small: about 8 in | 5.1 in | 126 of 133 |
| Medium: about 10 in | 6.4 in | 133 of 133 |
| Large: about 12 in | 6.7 in | 133 of 133 |
| Giant: 13 in and up | 6.7 in (one sheet) | 133 of 133 |
Most carving problems come from thin bridges, a soft pumpkin or a stencil that is too big.
Questions and Answers
How do I transfer a stencil to a pumpkin?
Print the stencil at the size for your pumpkin and tape it to the smooth front. Push a pin tool or a thumbtack through the lines about every ⅛ inch (3 mm). Take the paper off and connect the dots with a washable marker.
Which tools do I need to carve a pumpkin?
You need a large spoon or scraper to scoop the seeds, a pin tool to poke the stencil lines, and a small serrated pumpkin saw. A dry-erase marker helps connect the dots before you cut.
How do I pick a good pumpkin for carving?
Look for a firm pumpkin with a flat bottom so it sits straight. Find a smooth, flat side without deep bumps to tape your stencil on. A green stem means the pumpkin is fresh.
How long does a carved pumpkin last?
A carved pumpkin lasts about 3 to 5 days before it gets soft or moldy. Keep it out of direct sun and freezing rain. You can put petroleum jelly on the cut edges to help it last longer.
How can kids help carve safely?
Adults should always handle the carving saws. Kids can pick the stencil, scoop out the seeds, and use a pin tool to poke the dots. Always use an LED light instead of a real candle to keep everyone safe.
How do I print the stencil at the right size?
Measure your pumpkin and choose Small, Medium, Large, or Giant on our site. We automatically scale the PDF so it fits your pumpkin perfectly. You can also click Print all to get a PDF with all stencils.
Why did a piece fall out of my pumpkin?
A piece falls out when nothing holds it, or when the strip holding it is too thin. Carvers recommend bridges of at least ¼ inch (6 mm) at the printed size. Our software checks every stencil to make sure bridges stay wide enough.