Free online Gerber viewer

Online Gerber Viewer: Free Gerber File Viewer in Your Browser

Drag in RS-274X Gerbers and Excellon drill files, or a ZIP, to preview every layer, check for missing files and measure board size. Nothing is uploaded.

Reviewed by the AstroPCB engineering team · Updated · All PCB tools

Gerber-style layer view showing copper, outline and via features

Gerber viewer

Gerber file viewer.

Drop Gerber + drill files or a ZIP hereRS-274X, Excellon · or click to browse · files stay in your browser

Preview only. Aperture macros and some advanced commands may not render. Your files are parsed locally and never uploaded. For a full engineering check, upload to quote.

What to check

What to check in a Gerber viewer.

  • Every copper layer present and aligned
  • Drill hits land on pads on all layers
  • Solder mask openings expose pads, not traces; dams ≥ 3 mil
  • Silkscreen readable and off pads
  • Board outline matches the mechanical drawing
  • Drill sizes match the via/hole plan

Common errors

Common Gerber export errors.

ErrorSymptom
Missing layerNo inner layers, paste or mask in the set
Wrong units / formatBoard appears 25.4× too big or small
Offset drill fileHoles shifted from pads
Outline on copper layerBoard edge drawn as a copper trace
Negative plane misreadPlanes appear inverted

Workflow

A pre-fabrication checking workflow.

  1. 01

    Export

    Gerber RS-274X/X2 and Excellon from your EDA tool.

  2. 02

    Load

    Drop the files or ZIP into the viewer.

  3. 03

    Check

    Layers present, aligned, outline correct, drills on pads.

  4. 04

    Upload

    Send to quote for engineering DFM.

Most fabrication delays come from export mistakes, not design errors: a missing layer, wrong units, an offset drill file or an outline drawn on copper. A two-minute check in a viewer catches most of them before the files reach CAM.

Layer naming

Common Gerber file extensions.

Protel/Altium-style extensions and KiCad names; the viewer recognises both.
ExtensionLayer
.GTL / .GBLTop / bottom copper
.G2, .G3 … / In1_CuInner copper layers
.GTS / .GBSTop / bottom solder mask
.GTO / .GBOTop / bottom silkscreen
.GTP / .GBPTop / bottom paste
.GKO / .GM1 / Edge_CutsBoard outline
.DRL / .XLNExcellon drill

If a layer is misidentified, rename it with a standard extension and reload. Mixed naming is common when files come from different tools.

Gerber X2 & ODB++

Gerber X2, ODB++ and IPC-2581.

Gerber X2 adds file attributes (layer function, polarity, pad roles) that remove ambiguity in CAM. ODB++ and IPC-2581 carry the whole job in one structured file, including stack-up and netlist. All three are accepted for fabrication. The viewer previews RS-274X and X2 Gerbers with Excellon drill. For ODB++ or IPC-2581, upload directly to quote.

Quick checks

Five checks before you upload.

  • Layer count in the viewer matches your stack-up
  • Board extents match the mechanical drawing
  • Drill hits land on pads on every copper layer
  • Solder mask openings exist on every pad (and not on vias you want tented)
  • Outline is a single closed shape on its own layer

If any check fails, re-export from your EDA tool. It is faster than explaining the file set to CAM later.

File formats

Supported file formats.

The viewer reads RS-274X (extended Gerber) and Excellon drill files, individually or in a ZIP. For fabrication we also accept Gerber X2, ODB++ and IPC-2581. Read more about our free DFM review.

FAQ

Tool questions.

Is this Gerber viewer free?

Yes, free and browser-based with no sign-up.

Are my files uploaded?

No. Files are parsed locally in your browser and never leave your computer.

Which files can I open?

RS-274X Gerber and Excellon drill files, individually or as a ZIP.

Can it replace a DFM check?

No. It is a visual preview; our engineers’ DFM review checks manufacturability in depth.

Why does my board look 25× too big?

Units or format mismatch between Gerber and drill files; re-export with consistent units and format.

Which layers should a fabrication set include?

All copper layers, solder mask and silkscreen for both sides, board outline, drill files and a fabrication drawing or README.

Ready when your files are

Done designing? Get it built.

Upload Gerber, ODB++ or IPC-2581 data. Every quote includes a written engineering DFM review, typically within one business day.