Scary Pumpkin Carving Stencils
Free, scary stencils for a creepy jack-o'-lantern. Tap a face, pick your pumpkin size, print and carve. See pictures of carved results to get inspired.
- ✓Free, no sign-up
- ✓Carve-checked
- ✓Prints to fit your pumpkin
- ✓Step-by-step carving mode
Easy: 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.
All 8 pumpkin stencils as one PDF: US Letter · A4
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 Scary Pumpkin with a Stencil
- Pick a stencil and your pumpkin size. We scale the print so the scary face 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. Adults should always handle the saws.
- Light it up. An LED tea light is bright and safe. It makes those sharp fangs and angry eyes look extra creepy at night.
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 scary face online.
Moon Window, Silhouette or Scary Face?
Moon window
A big round moon glows and the spooky shape stays as dark pumpkin skin. It looks amazing from the street.
Silhouette
The whole shape glows, like a swooping bat or zombie hand. You cut only a few big shapes, so it is easy to carve.
Scary face
Angry eyes, sharp fangs and stitched mouths go right on the pumpkin. The pumpkin becomes a creepy monster 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 | 8 of 8 |
| Medium: about 10 in | 6.4 in | 8 of 8 |
| Large: about 12 in | 6.7 in | 8 of 8 |
| Giant: 13 in and up | 6.7 in (one sheet) | 8 of 8 |
Most carving problems come from thin bridges, a soft pumpkin or a stencil that is too big.
Questions and Answers
What are some scary pumpkin carving ideas?
Classic scary ideas include sharp fangs, angry slanted eyes, and stitched mouths. You can also carve a creepy cyclops, an evil clown, or a swooping bat. Our printable stencils help you get these spooky details right. Tap 'Print all' to download a PDF with all our scary stencils.
What does WD-40 do for pumpkins?
Some people use WD-40 to keep carved pumpkins from rotting. We do not recommend this. It is flammable and bad for wildlife that might eat the pumpkin. Instead, use a safe LED light and keep your pumpkin cool.
How do I put a scary stencil on 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. Then carve along the dotted lines in number order.
Why did a piece fall out of my pumpkin?
A piece of pumpkin skin 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 at every size we offer: if a bridge gets thinner than that, the size is not offered.
How do I make my scary pumpkin last longer?
Wait to carve your pumpkin until a few days before Halloween. Scrape the inside well to remove all guts and moisture. Keep it out of direct sun and use an LED light instead of a hot candle.
Are these stencils safe for kids to carve?
Adults should always handle the carving saws for young kids. Kids can help scoop out the seeds, tape the stencil on, and poke the dots with a pin tool. They can also tap 'Color it' to color the scary faces on our free online board.