The World’s Leading Open Source Gerber Viewer
Fast, lightweight, and professional-grade. Gerbv is the essential tool for engineers to visualize, verify, and export PCB Gerber RS-274X, Excellon drill, and CSV pick-and-place files.
Powerful Engineering Tools at Your Fingertips
More than just a viewer. Gerbv provides a comprehensive suite of features to ensure your PCB design is production-ready before you hit the “order” button.
Advanced Layer Stackup
Simultaneously view and overlay multiple Gerber files. Easily toggle visibility, adjust transparency, and assign custom colors to distinguish between copper, solder masks, and silk screens.
Precision Measurement
Verify trace widths, clearance distances, and board dimensions with built-in tools. Supports both Metric (mm) and Imperial (mils) units for global engineering standards.
Broad Format Support
Seamlessly handle RS-274X Gerber, Excellon drill, and CSV Pick-and-Place files. Ensure full compatibility with exports from Altium, KiCad, and Eagle.
High-Speed Rendering
Optimized for modern hardware, the 2026 build utilizes enhanced Cairo rendering to handle complex HDI boards without lag or stuttering.
Universal Exporting
Export your Gerber views to professional formats including PDF, PNG, SVG, and PostScript for project documentation or client review.
Libgerbv Core
Powered by libgerbv, our core library allows developers to integrate Gerber parsing into their own custom EDA software and automation scripts.
Extensive File Format Compatibility
Gerbv is engineered to handle industry-standard outputs from all major PCB design suites. Whether you are using legacy systems or the latest EDA versions, we’ve got you covered.
Gerber RS-274X
The modern standard for PCB artwork, including embedded apertures.
Excellon Drill
Critical for NC drilling and routing information, including tool definitions.
Assembly & Pick-Place
Coordinate files for automated SMT assembly lines and component placement.
Compatible with leading EDA suites: Gerbv seamlessly opens files exported from Altium Designer, KiCad, Autodesk EAGLE, Cadence Allegro, Mentor Graphics PADS, and Zuken CR-8000. It effectively handles both Imperial and Metric units, as well as zero-suppression (Leading/Trailing) configurations often found in Excellon files.
A Modern Renaissance of a Classic EDA Tool
Gerbv was originally born as a core component of the gEDA project. For over two decades, it has been the industry standard for open-source Gerber viewing. However, as PCB technology evolved, the original codebase faced the challenge of “too many cooks in the kitchen.”
“I have taken over this branch… Since then, a lot of things in the software world have revolutionized the way software is developed. From Git and GitHub, up to today’s AI coding tools.” — Stefan Petersen, Original Creator & Maintainer
In 2025-2026, the project underwent a massive transformation. Stefan Petersen returned to lead a major refactoring effort—transitioning to modern CMake, cleaning up decades of technical debt, and preparing for GTK-3.0 integration. This ensures that Gerbv remains fast, secure, and compatible with the latest Gerber RS-274X specifications.
Why 2026 Matters?
- ✓ Refactored code for 4K/HiDPI display support.
- ✓ New native Windows NSIS installers.
- ✓ Enhanced security auditing for libgerbv.
- ✓ Official macOS support integration.
Trusted by Engineers Worldwide
From hobbyists to professional hardware designers, the global community relies on Gerbv for its uncompromised accuracy and speed.
Gerbv is my go-to tool for final verification. It’s significantly faster than opening a heavy EDA suite just to check a single solder mask layer. The 2026 update has made it even smoother on my 4K monitor.
As a KiCad user, I love that I can have a neutral third-party viewer to confirm my exports. Being open-source and free is a huge plus for the maker community. Gerbv.com makes it so easy to find the latest builds!
The measurement tool in Gerbv is incredibly intuitive. It’s saved us from several costly manufacturing errors by helping us catch trace clearance issues that were overlooked in the initial design phase.
Why Professionals Choose Gerbv
In a world of bloated EDA suites, Gerbv stands out as a dedicated, neutral, and lightweight tool for final design verification.
| Feature | Gerbv (v2.13+) | Standard EDA Viewers | Online Viewers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startup Speed | Instant (< 1s) | Slow (Loading Engines) | Depends on Network |
| Privacy & Security | 100% Offline / Local | Offline | Uploads Required |
| Neutral Verification | Independent Renderer | Same as Design Tool | Manufacturer Specific |
| Measurement Tools | Precise & Dedicated | Complex Menus | Limited |
| Cost | Free Forever | Paid / Licensed | Free (With Ads) |
When to use Gerbv?
-
Final Pre-Flight Check
Verify that your KiCad, Altium, or Eagle exports actually contain the correct layers before spending money on manufacturing.
-
Multi-Tool Merging
Combine drill files and Gerber layers from different sources into a single view to check for alignment and offset issues.
-
Technical Documentation
Use the SVG/PDF export feature to create high-quality, scalable vector graphics for your project’s assembly manual.
Pro-Tip for 2026:
“Always use a neutral third-party viewer like Gerbv. If you only check your Gerbers inside the same software you designed them in, you might miss export errors that the design software ‘hides’ by using its internal cache.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions about Gerbv installation, compatibility, and features.
Is Gerbv completely free to use?
Yes, Gerbv is 100% free and open-source software licensed under the GNU GPL v2.0. You can use it for personal, educational, and even high-end commercial PCB design verification without any licensing fees.
Does Gerbv support Windows 11 and macOS Sonoma?
Absolutely. The latest 2026 builds (v2.13.0 and higher) have been specifically optimized for modern operating systems, including Windows 11 (native NSIS installer) and macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel).
Can Gerbv open RS-274D (Standard Gerber) files?
Gerbv is primarily designed for RS-274X (Extended Gerber), which includes embedded aperture information. While the industry has moved away from the legacy RS-274D format (which requires a separate aperture list), we recommend re-exporting your files to RS-274X for full compatibility with modern viewers.
What is ‘libgerbv’ and how can I use it?
Libgerbv is the core functional library that powers the viewer. It allows software developers to integrate Gerber parsing, editing, and rendering into their own C/C++ applications. It is widely used by EDA tool developers for its high-fidelity parsing engine.
How do I measure trace width in Gerbv?
Simply select the Measurement Tool from the toolbar (or use the shortcut). Click the starting point and drag to the end point; Gerbv will display the precise distance in the status bar in your chosen units (mils, mm, or inches).
Built by the Community,
Driven by Excellence.
Gerbv isn’t just code; it’s a collaborative effort by 30+ core contributors and hundreds of engineers worldwide. Our GitHub repository is the heart of the project, ensuring transparency and continuous security audits.
Join the 2026 Modernization
We are currently in a pivotal stage of development. Under the leadership of Stefan Petersen, the project is actively migrating to modern toolchains. Your participation helps keep this essential tool free for everyone.
- 1 Report Issues: Found a bug in v2.13.0? Help us fix it on GitHub.
- 2 Submit PRs: Contribute to our GTK-3.0 port or Gerber spec updates.
- 3 Share: Tell your fellow hardware engineers about gerbv.com.
Ready to Verify Your PCB Design?
Join thousands of engineers who trust Gerbv for precise, fast, and secure Gerber file inspection. Download the latest 2026 stable build now.
Latest Stable: v2.13.0 | Platform: Win, Linux, Mac | License: GPLv2
Gerbv.com is an independent community resource dedicated to supporting the Open Source Gerber Viewer project. Gerbv is free software licensed under the GNU General Public License v2.0. All product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners.