What is the BRD file format?
A .brd file is a CAD file created by the circuit board design application Easily Applicable Graphical Layout Editor (EAGLE), originally developed by CadSoft Computer and acquired by Autodesk in 2016. The EAGLE application, supported on Windows, Mac, and Linux, stores the complete physical PCB layout: copper layers, component placements, traces, pads, vias, and design rules. Since EAGLE 6.0 (2012) the .brd format is XML-based; versions 5.x and earlier used a proprietary binary. A .brd file pairs with a companion .sch schematic and .lbr parts libraries. It can be exported to Gerber drill data for Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) fabrication. Note: Autodesk ended EAGLE on June 7, 2026; existing .brd files open natively in Autodesk Fusion (Electronics) or KiCad.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWA BRD is a CAD design file with no executable payload, so opening one is low risk. The real hazard is data longevity: with EAGLE shutting down on June 7, 2026, designs left only as .brd risk becoming hard to edit. Mitigate by migrating to Autodesk Fusion or KiCad and exporting Gerber/ODB++, drill and BOM outputs now while EAGLE still runs. Download EAGLE/Fusion only from autodesk.com - third-party "EAGLE viewer" sites may bundle unwanted software.
Format details
in a nutshellFULL NAMEEAGLE Circuit Board Layoutaka EAGLE board file, EAGLE PCB layout
DEVELOPERCadSoft Computer (acquired by Autodesk in 2016)since 1988 (EAGLE - Easily Applicable Graphical Layout Editor)
CATEGORYCAD Files
MIME TYPEapplication/octet-stream
TYPEPCB layout - XML (EAGLE 6+) or proprietary binary (pre-6) (text/binary)
This extension is also used by…
- Cadence Allegro / OrCAD board file - Allegro PCB Editor also outputs .brd in a different, EAGLE-incompatible binary format.
- Brother embroidery / KiCad legacy board - Older KiCad and some other tools used .brd for PCB layouts; the Brother machine-embroidery world also uses .brd - all unrelated to EAGLE.
MAGIC BYTES · FILE SIGNATURE
OFFSET
0001020304
HEX
3C3F786D6C
ASCII
<?xml
EAGLE 6.0 (2012) and later store BRD as XML, so the file begins with the XML declaration "<?xml ..." followed by an "<eagle>" root and a DOCTYPE referencing eagle.dtd. EAGLE 5.x and earlier used an undocumented proprietary binary format with no public magic string. Note: other PCB tools (Allegro/OrCAD, older KiCad, gEDA PCB) also use the .brd extension with entirely different, incompatible internal formats.
Programs that open BRD files
Windows3 apps
Autodesk Fusion (Electronics)
Freemium Open the .brd in Fusion's Electronics workspace - it imports EAGLE boards directly. Free for personal use; the official successor to EAGLE.
KiCad
Open-source File > Import > EAGLE board/project to convert the .brd into a KiCad PCB. The free long-term home for EAGLE designs.
Autodesk EAGLE
Freemium Open natively in EAGLE - but note EAGLE end-of-life is June 7, 2026, after which it will not launch. Migrate to Fusion/KiCad. 
macOS2 apps
Autodesk Fusion (Electronics)
Freemium Open the EAGLE .brd in the Electronics workspace on macOS; the recommended successor app. 
Linux1 app
KiCad
Open-source Import the EAGLE .brd (File > Import) - the main option on Linux, where neither EAGLE nor Fusion run natively. Technical details
deep spec| Format type | Physical PCB layout (board only - excludes schematic and parts library) |
| Developer | CadSoft Computer GmbH (original); Autodesk Inc. (acquired 2016) |
| Encoding (v6.0+) | XML, UTF-8 plain text |
| Encoding (v5.x and earlier) | Proprietary undocumented binary |
| File signature | ASCII sequence <?xml at byte offset 0 (EAGLE 6.0 and later) |
| XML root and schema | <eagle> root element with DOCTYPE referencing eagle.dtd |
| Format version tag | version attribute inside the <eagle> element (e.g. 6.0 to 9.x) |
| Board data stored | Copper layers, board outline, component placements, nets/signals, wire traces, pads, vias, polygons, DRC rules |
| Companion files | .sch (schematic), .lbr (component libraries), .ulp (user-language scripts) |
| CAM export formats | Gerber RS-274X, ODB++, Excellon drill, DXF |
| Typical file size | Tens of KB to a few MB (scales with board complexity and copper fill) |
| Platform support | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| MIME type | application/xml (v6.0+); application/octet-stream (legacy binary) |
| Extension collision | Allegro/OrCAD, older KiCad, and gEDA PCB also use .brd with entirely different, incompatible formats |
| Current status | EAGLE licensing servers shut down June 7, 2026; .brd files open natively in Autodesk Fusion (Electronics) or KiCad |
| Released | 1988 (EAGLE - Easily Applicable Graphical Layout Editor) |
| Latest version | EAGLE 9.x file format (XML); EAGLE end-of-life June 7, 2026 |
| Specification | www.autodesk.com |
BRD conversions
Possible
.BRD .GBRGUIDE
Yes - run EAGLE's built-in CAM Processor (or Autodesk Fusion Electronics / KiCad) to export your board to…
How to convert
.BRD .PDFGUIDE
Yes, an EAGLE BRD file can be exported to PDF - the fastest route is File > Print to PDF in Autodesk Fusion…
How to convert
.BRD .PNGGUIDE
Yes, you can export a BRD to PNG -- the fastest way is File > Export > Image in Autodesk EAGLE or Autodesk…
How to convert
.BRD .STEPGUIDE
Yes, BRD can be converted to STEP - the fastest way is to open the board in Autodesk Fusion Electronics and…
How to convert
.BRD .SVGGUIDE
Yes, BRD can be exported to SVG; the quickest route on any platform is KiCad (free) - import the EAGLE board,…
How to convert
.BRD .STPGUIDE
Yes - export the board from Autodesk Fusion Electronics, which produces a STEP/STP 3D model of the assembled…
How to convert
.BRD .DSNGUIDE
Yes, EAGLE can export a BRD to Specctra DSN directly - but EAGLE reached end-of-life on June 7, 2026 and no…
How to convert
Community Q&A
asked by usersNo questions yet - be the first to ask about BRD files.
Frequently asked questions
How do I open a BRD file?
Open it in Autodesk Fusion's Electronics workspace (it reads EAGLE boards directly) or import it into the free KiCad. Autodesk EAGLE opens it natively too, but EAGLE is being retired in June 2026.
Is EAGLE really being discontinued?
Yes. Autodesk ends EAGLE on June 7, 2026; after that the licensing servers shut down and EAGLE won't launch even with a subscription. Move designs to Autodesk Fusion Electronics or KiCad and export your Gerbers first.
How do I convert a BRD to Gerber files for manufacturing?
Run EAGLE's CAM Processor (or use Fusion Electronics / KiCad) to export Gerber (RS-274X) plus an Excellon NC drill file - the standard package PCB fabs require.
Can I open an EAGLE BRD in KiCad?
Yes - KiCad's File > Import can bring in EAGLE board and project files and convert them to native KiCad PCBs, which is the recommended free migration path.
My BRD won't open in EAGLE - why?
It's probably a different program's .brd. Cadence Allegro/OrCAD, older KiCad and Brother embroidery all use .brd with incompatible formats. Confirm which tool created it; an EAGLE 6+ BRD is XML starting with '<?xml'.
Can I view a BRD without installing EAGLE?
Use Autodesk Fusion (free for personal use) or KiCad to view/edit it. Some online EAGLE/Gerber viewers can render the board, but for editing use Fusion or KiCad.
References
1Autodesk - The Future of EAGLE: Fusion Electronicswww.autodesk.com
2Autodesk Community - EAGLE end of life June 7, 2026forums.autodesk.com
