What is the SCH file format?
.sch files are used by EAGLE, a schematic capture and PCB layout application originally developed by CadSoft Computer and later acquired by Autodesk. .sch files store complete electronic schematics created with that tool.
Schematics in a .sch file can be used to visualize a given device. The schematics consist of standardized symbols and connections between elements of a given circuit. Finished schematics can then be used in the printed circuit board production process, typically paired with a .brd board layout file.
From EAGLE 6.0 onward, the .sch format is a plain XML text file - files open with an XML declaration and an <eagle> root element referencing eagle.dtd. Versions 5 and earlier stored schematics in a proprietary binary encoding. Note that the .sch extension is shared by several other EDA tools with incompatible file layouts; KiCad's modern schematic format is the .kicad_sch file, introduced in KiCad 6.
Autodesk discontinued EAGLE as a standalone product in 2026, folding its functionality into Fusion 360 Electronics, which continues to read and write .sch files.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWA modern EAGLE .sch is XML text describing a circuit, with no executable content, so it's safe to open and inspect. The only practical caution: EAGLE/KiCad support User Language Programs / scripts, so don't run unsolicited ULP/script files bundled with a project. The schematic file itself is harmless.
Format details
in a nutshellFULL NAMEEAGLE Schematic File
DEVELOPERCadSoft → Autodesk (EAGLE)since EAGLE since 1988; XML .sch format since EAGLE 6.0 (2011)
CATEGORYCAD Files
MIME TYPEapplication/xml
TYPEElectronic schematic (XML text in EAGLE 6+; binary in EAGLE ≤5)
This extension is also used by…
- KiCad Eeschema schematic - Older KiCad used .sch (S-expression/legacy text); KiCad 6+ switched to .kicad_sch.
- OrCAD Capture / PSpice schematic - Cadence OrCAD and PSpice use .sch for their own (different) schematic files.
- LTspice / generic SPICE schematic - Various SPICE and EDA tools (TINA, Qucs, P-CAD) save schematics as .sch in their own formats.
Programs that open SCH files
Windows5 apps
KiCad (Eeschema)
Open-source File > Import > Non-KiCad Project > EAGLE Project to open a modern (XML) EAGLE .sch for free. The go-to path now that EAGLE is discontinued.
Autodesk Fusion (Electronics)
Freemium Open EAGLE .sch in Fusion's Electronics workspace (where EAGLE now lives). Standalone EAGLE reached end of life June 2026.
Autodesk EAGLE (legacy)
Paid If you still have an EAGLE install, open the .sch natively and re-save to XML for migration. No longer sold - EOL June 2026.
OrCAD Capture
Paid Opens OrCAD-format .sch (Cadence). Not for EAGLE files - only if the .sch came from OrCAD. 
macOS2 apps
Linux2 apps
KiCad (Eeschema)
Open-source Import the EAGLE project (File > Import Non-KiCad Project) to open the .sch. Best free Linux option.
Qucs-S / Qucs
Open-source Opens Qucs-format .sch (circuit simulation). Tool-specific; not for EAGLE files.
Web1 app
Autodesk EAGLE / Fusion (cloud)
Freemium View/edit EAGLE designs via the Fusion Electronics cloud workspace. Technical details
deep spec| File type | Electronic schematic - captures circuit diagrams, component instances, and net connections |
| Encoding (EAGLE 6+) | UTF-8 XML text; root element is `<eagle>` with a DOCTYPE referencing `eagle.dtd` |
| Encoding (EAGLE ≤5) | Proprietary binary format; not publicly documented |
| MIME type | `application/xml` |
| Developer | CadSoft Computer GmbH (Germany); acquired by Autodesk in 2016 |
| Paired format | Used alongside a `.brd` board layout file within the same EAGLE project |
| Library dependencies | Component symbols and pin definitions reference external `.lbr` EAGLE library files |
| Schematic data stored | Nets, component instances, wire segments, junctions, bus definitions, labels, and multi-sheet hierarchy |
| Extension conflict | `.sch` is also used by KiCad (pre-v6), OrCAD Capture, Protel/Altium Designer, and TINA with incompatible formats |
| KiCad legacy note | KiCad 5 and earlier used `.sch`; KiCad 6 replaced it with `.kicad_sch` using S-expression syntax |
| XML file identification | EAGLE 6+ files can be identified by the string `<!DOCTYPE eagle` near the start of the file |
| Forward/back annotation | Net list in `.sch` synchronizes bidirectionally with `.brd` via EAGLE's forward and back annotation workflow |
| Multi-sheet support | A project can contain multiple schematic sheets stored as separate `<sheet>` elements within one `.sch` file |
| Product status | Autodesk ended EAGLE as a standalone application in 2026; `.sch` files are now opened through Fusion 360 Electronics |
| Released | EAGLE since 1988; XML .sch format since EAGLE 6.0 (2011) |
| Specification | www.autodesk.com |
SCH conversions
Possible
.SCH .DXFGUIDE
Yes, you can export an EAGLE schematic to DXF - use KiCad (free) or Autodesk Fusion, both have a built-in DXF…
How to convert
.SCH .PDFGUIDE
Yes -- the quickest free route is KiCad: import the EAGLE project, then in Eeschema use File > Plot > PDF.
How to convert
.SCH .BRDGUIDE
Yes - you can generate a .brd PCB layout from an EAGLE .sch schematic; the fastest way is to use Autodesk…
How to convert
.SCH .KICAD_SCHGUIDE
Yes - open KiCad, use File > Import Non-KiCad Project > EAGLE Project, and KiCad saves the result as a native…
How to convert
Not possible
Community Q&A
asked by users
M
Frequently asked questions
How do I open an EAGLE .sch file for free?
Use KiCad: File > Import > Non-KiCad Project > EAGLE Project. This opens a modern (XML, EAGLE 6+) .sch without an Autodesk subscription. Autodesk's Fusion Electronics workspace can also open it.
Autodesk discontinued EAGLE - what do I use now?
EAGLE reached end of life in June 2026 and is folded into Fusion's Electronics workspace. For a free, standalone path, migrate your .sch/.brd into KiCad, which imports EAGLE projects directly.
How do I view a .sch without installing CAD software?
Modern EAGLE .sch is XML, so a text editor shows the raw design, but not as a diagram. To see the actual circuit you need KiCad/Fusion; for a quick share, ask the sender for a PDF export.
Which program made my .sch file?
Open it in a text editor: a '<eagle version=...>' header means EAGLE; KiCad legacy files look like S-expressions; OrCAD and others are often binary. Match the tool to what you see.
How do I convert a .sch schematic to PDF?
In EAGLE/Fusion use File > Print/Export to PDF; in KiCad open Eeschema and use File > Plot > PDF. That gives a shareable, printable diagram.
Can KiCad open old binary EAGLE .sch files?
Only EAGLE 6.0+ XML files import directly. For EAGLE 5 or earlier (binary .sch), open the file in EAGLE first and re-save it, which writes the XML format KiCad can read.
References
1Autodesk - EAGLE end of life announcementwww.autodesk.com
2KiCad - official site (free EDA suite)www.kicad.org
