KLayout
Layout viewer and editor for chip mask layouts (GDS and OASIS), with fast viewing of huge files, editing, scripting, and layout verification.
What it does and how it connects
KLayout is a layout viewer and editor for chip mask layouts in GDS and OASIS formats. Its homepage presents four functions: fast and accurate viewing of huge layout files, drawing and transforming hierarchical layout, scripting layout generators and PCells, and searching, verifying, and measuring layout with analysis scripts.
It is developed by Matthias Köfferlein and distributed as free software under GPL-3.0. The most recent release noted on the homepage is minor release 0.30.13, dated 2026-11-05, with macOS DMGs provided by a community contributor.
What engineers report
Gerber file parsing failed, the software froze, and memory usage reached 100%.
2026-10-23Read the original
Alternatives
Compare side by side- KiCad
KiCad is a free, open-source electronics design suite for schematics and PCBs, rather than a viewer and editor for chip mask layouts.
- OpenLane
OpenLane 2 is an infrastructure library for building digital ASIC implementation flows from RTL to GDSII, rather than a layout viewer and editor.
- Yosys
Yosys is a framework for Verilog RTL synthesis that turns designs into gate-level netlists, rather than a tool for viewing and editing mask layouts.
- Verilator
Verilator is an open-source Verilog and SystemVerilog simulator and linter that compiles designs into fast C++ or SystemC models.
Sources
Not verified
- Pricing: none stated on the vendor site or repo as read.
- Related Error Index entries: no entry with software KLayout itself was verified; matching entries concern a third-party klayout-tools repository.
Last verified November 6, 2026. Listings are informational. The evidence score measures public, verifiable evidence and is not an endorsement or a compatibility claim.