Holidays & Entertaining Halloween Pumpkin Carving Patterns & Templates 53 Free Pumpkin Carving Stencils for Your Best Jack-o'-Lanterns Ever By Sarah Martens Sarah Martens Instagram Sarah Martens is the digital holidays and entertaining editor at Better Homes & Gardens where she has a pulse on all things worth celebrating. A foodie to the core, Sarah started her career in insurance and a food blogger on the side. Now, she's the go-to source for new craft trends (she's the mastermind behind marbleized Easter eggs) and sharing stories about traditional and emerging holidays. She holds a B.A. in magazine journalism from Drake University. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on September 15, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Carson Downing Use these basic pumpkin carving stencils as starting patterns to create cute (or creepy!) Halloween pumpkins that will delight trick-or-treaters. If you're searching for designs you can personalize, these free Halloween stencils range from beginner's to advanced skills. Just pick your favorite pumpkin carving stencil, cut it out, and trace. Once you're ready, the creative pumpkin carving begins. 01 of 53 Monstera Pumpkins Get the free stencil Kelsey Hansen Turn your favorite houseplants into hip carved pumpkins with our free monstera stencil. An eye-catching variety of pumpkin colors—orange, green, gray—up the drama of these leafy silhouettes. For a bright glow, fully carve around the outline. For a more subtle contrast, etch to remove the skin and some of the flesh without carving all the way through. 02 of 53 Honeycomb Pumpkins Get the free stencil Kelsey Hansen This buzz worthy gathering of petite pumpkins is sweet as can be. The honeycomb works best on firm pumpkins that will hold their shape despite the intricate carvings. Avoid enlarging this design to fit your squash—the less intact the flesh is, the more delicate the pumpkin will become. For a more durable comb, use the etching technique to remove skin but keep the flesh, like the bee shapes. Unetched details like the bee stripes add contrast. 03 of 53 Flower Pumpkin Stencils Get the free stencil Kelsey Hansen Late-season blooms last even longer when carved into bright pumpkins. Choose the type, number, and placement of flowers based on the size and shape of your gourd, and use our free flower stencils to create a carved bouquet. For a different approach (or for a pumpkin with a flat side), use the stem or bottom of the fruit as a blossom center and carve the petals around it. 04 of 53 Fall Quote Pumpkin Get the free stencil Kelsey Hansen Greet visitors throughout the season with this friendly gourd. If etched on an uncut pumpkin, the design will be visible during the day, and your pumpkin will last longer! If you want it to show up at night, cut and clean out the inside and add a battery-operated light. Trace our free template onto a piece of thick plastic cling film to easily transfer the pattern to the pumpkin. 05 of 53 Succulent Pumpkin Stencil Get the Free Stencil Adam Albright Hit the pumpkin patch in search of a perfectly green gourd. This succulent pumpkin stencil is easy to carve, and the etched details in the center make this simple carved pumpkin look more intricate than it really is. To make a carved pumpkin last longer, soak it in a solution of one part vinegar to 10 parts water before you start cutting. 06 of 53 Wide Smile Stencil Get the Wide Smile stencil Jason Donnelly Crack a smile—this beginner's Halloween stencil of a grinning face is the perfect starting point for a whole set of amusing jack-o'-lanterns. For the perfect Halloween display, place these happy pumpkin faces around your front porch. 07 of 53 Houseplant Pumpkin Stencil Get the Free Stencil Adam Albright Fall is typically the season for mums and sunflowers, but who says you can't display a different kind of plant on your front steps this autumn? Turn your favorite houseplant into a carved pumpkin with our free stencil. Cut out the entire shape, or leave some elements etched for a more detailed look. 08 of 53 Cactus Pumpkin Get the Free Stencil Adam Albright This simple cactus shape is one of our easiest pumpkin carving stencils because it's just one big shape. Etch or carve the background shape to reveal a cactus standing tall against the setting sun. Make an etched pumpkin last longer by keeping the top and stem intact and cutting a hole at the bottom or back of the pumpkin for cleaning and adding a light. 09 of 53 Rainbow Pumpkin Stencil Get the Free Stencil Adam Albright Spread some cheer to the neighborhood with this rainbow pumpkin stencil. It's perfect for any color of pumpkin, and the combination of carving and etching makes the design pop. Since this design leaves so much of the pumpkin exposed, consider mixing up a pumpkin spray to make it last longer. 10 of 53 Flower Pumpkin Stencil Get the Free Stencil Adam Albright Will you accept this carved pumpkin rose? Add a floral element to your pile of gourds by carving this pretty rose-inspired stencil into a pumpkin. Accent it with some real seasonal flowers to give this look the full effect. 11 of 53 Frankenstein Pumpkin Stencil Get the Frankenstein stencil Carson Downing Let's be frank: This guy is a blockhead, but we love him anyway. To use this easy pumpkin template, open the pattern and print. If needed, you can size the pattern on your copier. Then tape the design to your pumpkin and use a pin to poke the outline of the pattern before carving. 12 of 53 Owl Stencil Get the Owl stencil Adam Albright Carving with this Halloween stencil is sure to be a hoot. This easy stencil calls for minimal carving—you'll mostly be etching around the image. If this design is too spooky for you, try carving a pretty owl pumpkin instead. 13 of 53 Snake Pumpkin Carving Picture Get the free pumpkin stencil Adam Albright Photography Inc. This snake pumpkin carving is actually made by etching out the body. Use our free pumpkin carving template to create the design. Once you've mastered the technique, try making several to create an eerie Halloween display. 14 of 53 Scarecrow Halloween Stencil Get the Scarecrow stencil Jason Donnelly This carved design produces an evil-eyed, glowing creature who'll guard your front porch throughout the Halloween season. 15 of 53 Chicken Pumpkin Stencil Get the Free Stencil Adam Albright Carve up a farmhouse-inspired pumpkin display with our free chicken pumpkin stencil. It looks detailed, but it's actually easy to carve: Simply etch out the background shape and use a carving tool to add the details for feet and feathers. 16 of 53 Zombie Pumpkin Carving Stencil Get the free pumpkin stencil Jason Donnelly These zombie pumpkins are one spooky way to greet your Halloween guests. To create the zombie theme, cut a simple open circle around the hand stencil. Complete the scary pumpkin scene by etching grass below the hand, giving it the appearance of rising from the grave. 17 of 53 Crow and Tree Halloween Stencils Get the free pumpkin stencil Adam Albright Plant an eerie Halloween forest on your front porch with these crow and tree pumpkin carving stencils. Complete the display with a scattering of artificial crows (Etsy) and stacked pumpkins. 18 of 53 Skull Pumpkin Carving Get the free pumpkin stencil Adam Albright Create a bone-chilling Halloween jack-o'-lantern with this free skull pumpkin stencil. Carve the face and use a simple etching technique to create the teeth. Add a truly creepy touch by threading a rubber snake through the eyes. 19 of 53 Cottage Pumpkin Carving Stencil Get the Free Pumpkin Stencil Adam Albright Create an enchanting Halloween display with our printable cottage pumpkin stencil. To build this charming house, simply etch and carve two windows and a door. Finish the display with a carved mushroom pumpkin and a few faux bugs. Learn How to Etch a Pumpkin for Halloween 20 of 53 Deer Pumpkin Carving Stencil Get the Deer stencil Carson Downing Don't be a deer in the headlights when it comes to finding a pumpkin face to etch. Imagine a full moon for a buck's bright stroll through the woods. This easy pumpkin stencil requires just a simple etching technique. 21 of 53 Puppy Pumpkin Carving Stencil Get the Free Printable Stencil Jason Donnelly Use our grinning Pomeranian stencil to carve a sweet puppy pumpkin. To create your dog Halloween pumpkin, print the stencil and gently trace it on to your pumpkin. Carve and etch to create the finished design. 22 of 53 Fall Leaves Pumpkin Carving Stencils Get the Free Printable Stencil Peter Krumhardt Capture the beauty of falling leaves with our free pumpkin carving stencils. Etch the designs onto a pumpkin, then, when finished, coat with Vaseline. This will help extend the life of your etched pumpkins. 23 of 53 Cat Pumpkin Carving Stencil Get the Free Pumpkin Stencil Jay Wilde Create a Halloween pumpkin that looks just like your favorite cat. Our stencil outlines exactly how to etch the pumpkin to create realistic looking fur. Add a battery-operated tea light candle and the cat design glows from the inside out. 24 of 53 Mouth Halloween Stencil Get the Free face stencil Guess which holiday this pumpkin face loves? Spell out your enthusiasm for Halloween by carving the word into your pumpkin's mouth with this clever design. 25 of 53 Horned Grin Halloween Stencil Get the Horned Grin stencil This free pumpkin face stencil might look mischievous for Halloween, but it's actually pretty easy to carve. Trick or treaters will love this pumpkin's fangs and big eyes peering out from your front porch. 26 of 53 Lion Halloween Stencil Get the Lion stencil Roar onto the Halloween scene with a pumpkin that'll show you're king of the neighborhood carving competition. If this free animal pumpkin carving stencil stands out as a favorite, you can plan a whole zoo of pumpkins for next year. 27 of 53 Vampire and Fangs Halloween Stencil Get the free Vampire stencil Sink your teeth into this clever design that isn't a pain in the neck to carve. Our pumpkin face template will help you create a vampire with fangs and a frightening glare. If you want to create an entire front porch display, we've got quite a collection of free vampire and werewolf pumpkin stencils to choose from. 28 of 53 Round-Face Pumpkin Carving Stencil Get the Round-Face stencil Display this smiley pumpkin face long enough and you're sure to elicit as many laughs from your neighbors as from the trick or treaters. This pumpkin template is perfect for beginners looking to carve their first Halloween design. 29 of 53 Chess Piece Pumpkin Carving Stencil Get the Chess Piece stencil Strategizing for your best-ever Halloween pumpkin? This template is a guaranteed checkmate. Celebrate your inner gamer with this design. 30 of 53 Cyclops Pumpkin Carving Stencil Get the Cyclops stencil He's got his (one) eye on you. Carve a simple ghoul that's sure to attract stares. As a bonus for beginners, there's no need to worry about getting the eyes symmetrical for this cyclops face—making it an easy pumpkin carving idea for kids. 31 of 53 Missing-Teeth Halloween Stencil Get the Missing-Teeth stencil Who needs a full set of chompers when you've got a grin this goofy on your Halloween pumpkin? This grinning pumpkin stencil will light up your Halloween display—and luckily, fewer teeth mean fewer difficulties when carving. 32 of 53 Cat Halloween Stencil Get the Cat stencil This Halloween scaredy cat looks like it's crossed its own path. The Halloween black cat stencil is a bit tricky to carve, but it's definitely a treat for the kids in your neighborhood. If you want your pumpkin to look more like the family cat, choose from our free pumpkin stencils of favorite cat breeds. 33 of 53 Trick-or-Treat Pumpkin Carving Stencil Get the free stencil This "trick-or-treat" stencil will have you ready with a welcoming carved pumpkin on Halloween night. The design is meant for advanced carvers—so be sure to print out the template before starting. 34 of 53 Skeleton Pumpkin Carving Stencil Get the Skeleton stencil This skeleton stencil is scared speechless. Carve our stitched pumpkin face with wide eyes, a pointed nose, and a thin smile. 35 of 53 Goofy Skeleton Pumpkin Carving Stencil Get the Skeleton stencil Turn your front porch into a graveyard with this bony pumpkin carving stencil. Pro tip: Start with the detail work on the skeleton's face, then work your way down to the arms and out to the face's outline. This will fit right in with your existing skeleton decor. 36 of 53 Feline Pumpkin Carving Stencil Get the Feline stencil Illustration by Glenda Aldrich Our cat stencil is so cute, you might find yourself wanting to cuddle with your jack-o'-lantern. This design is the sophisticated version of our "scaredy-cat" pumpkin stencil, so print this template when you're in the mood for a Halloween carving challenge. 37 of 53 Vampire Face Pumpkin Carving Stencil Get the Vampire Face stencil This vampire has its next prey in sight—and it's definitely your Halloween candy corn. When you're brainstorming pumpkin faces to carve, choose this template to celebrate the shadowy figures of the night. 38 of 53 Happy Halloween Stencil Get the Free Pumpkin stencil Ready for a challenging pumpkin template? Use this detailed design to carve special Halloween wishes for all who pass by your yard. 39 of 53 Witch Pumpkin Carving Stencil Get the Witch stencil A bewitching pumpkin stencil will turn your yard into the perfect hangout for neighborhood ghouls. This face will glow at guests, creating flickers of fear. For the ultimate haunted house, display this witch on your front porch, surrounded by other witch-themed Halloween decorations. 40 of 53 Bat Pumpkin Carving Stencil Get the Spooky Bat stencil Trace this beginner's bat template onto your pumpkin, and it just might take a quick flight around the block. Carry the theme through the rest of the house with more bat-inspired Halloween crafts you can make yourself. 41 of 53 Howling Wolf Pumpkin Carving Stencil Get the Howling Wolf stencil A full moon is the perfect backdrop for a howling wolf pumpkin template. You'd be barking mad not to try this clever pumpkin carving design for Halloween. 42 of 53 Smiley Face Pumpkin Carving Stencil Get the Smiley Face stencil Illustration by Glenda Aldrich A smiling pumpkin will get everyone into the Halloween spirit. This goofy design will have trick-or-treaters smiling right back. 43 of 53 Creepy Crow Pumpkin Carving Stencil Get the Creepy Crow stencil This creepy crow stencil might have guests flying away before they even get to the door. If you're free as a bird when it comes to pumpkin templates, consider this design. 44 of 53 Say Cheese Pumpkin Carving Stencil Get the Say Cheese stencil A cheesy grin and fun freckles will have your pumpkin ready for his closeup. Print this Halloween stencil, carve along the dotted lines, and get ready for a selfie with this toothy jack-o'-lantern. 45 of 53 Haunted Tree Halloween Stencil Get the Haunted Tree stencil When this scary tree came to life, even the bats were spooked away. Carve this detailed design with intricate branches reaching around the pumpkin, then top it off with fluttering bats for a truly haunted tree. 46 of 53 Snarling Face Halloween Stencil Get the Snarling Face stencil Illustration by Glenda Aldrich No one would dare steal candy while this snarling pumpkin is watching—but young pumpkin carvers will enjoy this easy stencil. 47 of 53 Vampire Pumpkin Carving Stencil Get the Vampire stencil Illustration by Glenda Aldrich Even with his long fangs, this goofy Dracula looks friendly. This pumpkin carving stencil can make a really easy last-minute Halloween design when you use cookie cutters to form the eyes. Once that's done, all that's left to carve is a grin and two fantastic fangs. 48 of 53 Tombstone Pumpkin Carving Stencil Get the Tombstone stencil Create a ghostly graveyard by carving this free pumpkin stencil into a group of pumpkins decorated as Halloween's favorite monsters. 49 of 53 Cat in the Moon Halloween Stencil Get the Free Stencil Illustration by Glenda Aldrich A creeping cat is on the lookout for spooky creatures. This difficult design will challenge the best of pumpkin carvers, so bring your best stenciling skills. 50 of 53 Silly Face Pumpkin Carving Stencil Get the Silly Face Stencil This goofy pumpkin carving design will have kids laughing all night. Use our free stencil to make your own silly-faced jack-o'-lantern. 51 of 53 Laughing Pumpkin Carving Stencil Get the free face stencil This jokester prefers tricks over treats. Carve out the eyes, nose, and mouth, but don't carve the tongue shape. Instead, use a scraping tool to etch the tongue so that the lighter color rind shows. 52 of 53 Undercover Pumpkin Carving Stencil Get the free pumpkin stencil If there's a mystery that needs solving, invite this disguised pumpkin into your yard. We're loving the sunglasses and mustache combination on this not-so-spooky jack-o'-lantern. 53 of 53 Bucktooth Pumpkin Carving Stencil Get the free pumpkin stencil This pumpkin is all grins—even if he only has two teeth. Use our free stencil to transfer this funny face to a festive jack-o'-lantern. Choose from our other printable pumpkin stencils to make your front porch the spookiest on the block. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit