klayout
KLayout standalone Python package
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you need Python-based layout manipulation in EDA workflows and can work with a GPL-3.0-or-later copyleft license. The package is actively maintained, has no runtime dependencies, and offers broad platform support. No, if your project requires proprietary licensing or you need a permissively licensed alternative.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- No external runtime dependencies, but the package is a compiled extension; ensure your Python version and platform (Linux, macOS, Windows) match an available wheel.
- Medium install friction due to compiled wheels across multiple platforms and Python versions.
- Active maintenance with recent releases; last commit 2026-08-14 and latest release 2026-07-28 indicate ongoing development.
License · maintenance · safety
GPL-3.0-or-later (copyleft) — GPL-3.0-or-later copyleft license means any derivative work or distribution must also be open-source under compatible terms. Suitable for open-source projects; proprietary use requires careful review or licensing negotiation.
last release 2026-07-28 (17 days) · last repo commit 2026-08-14 · 1,168 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 407,880 downloads/mo, #6,884 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install klayout
import klayout.db as db
layout = db.Layout()
layer = layout.layer(10, 0)- Whether the package requires Qt libraries at runtime or only at build time for GUI functionality.
- Specific EDA file formats (GDS, LEF, DEF) supported by the Python API beyond layout creation.
- Performance characteristics and scalability for large design files.
- Whether Python 2 support mentioned in classifiers is still actively maintained.
What it is and what it does
KLayout is a standalone Python package that brings layout design and manipulation capabilities to Python scripts. It is primarily used in electronic design automation (EDA) workflows to programmatically create, read, and modify integrated circuit layouts. The package exposes a Python API to KLayout's core functionality, allowing developers to automate design tasks, perform batch processing of layout files, and integrate layout operations into larger design flows.
The package has no runtime dependencies and is distributed as pre-compiled wheels across Linux, macOS, and Windows. It is actively maintained with regular releases, making it a stable choice for production EDA automation. The GPL-3.0-or-later license means it is free to use in open-source projects but requires careful consideration for proprietary applications.
Use it for
- Automate batch processing of layout files in design verification and manufacturing workflows.
- Programmatically generate or modify circuit layouts as part of a design automation pipeline.
- Integrate layout analysis and manipulation into custom EDA tools or design rule checking scripts.
- Develop Python-based design scripts that interact with KLayout's layout database and geometry operations.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you need Python-based layout manipulation in EDA workflows and can work with a GPL-3.0-or-later copyleft license.
The package is actively maintained, has no runtime dependencies, and offers broad platform support. No, if your project requires proprietary licensing or you need a permissively licensed alternative.
Install
klayout on PyPI
Before you install
Medium install friction due to compiled wheels across multiple platforms and Python versions. Active maintenance with recent releases; last commit 2026-08-14 and latest release 2026-07-28 indicate ongoing development.
No external runtime dependencies, but the package is a compiled extension; ensure your Python version and platform (Linux, macOS, Windows) match an available wheel.
License in practice
GPL-3.0-or-later copyleft license means any derivative work or distribution must also be open-source under compatible terms. Suitable for open-source projects; proprietary use requires careful review or licensing negotiation.
Quickstart
pip install klayout
import klayout.db as db
layout = db.Layout()
layer = layout.layer(10, 0)Verify before relying
- Whether the package requires Qt libraries at runtime or only at build time for GUI functionality.
- Specific EDA file formats (GDS, LEF, DEF) supported by the Python API beyond layout creation.
- Performance characteristics and scalability for large design files.
- Whether Python 2 support mentioned in classifiers is still actively maintained.
Package facts
| License | GPL-3.0-or-later copyleft |
| Python support | Not specified |
| Install friction | Medium. Platform-specific wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 17 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 407,880 / month, #6,884 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Operating System :: MacOS :: MacOS XOperating System :: Microsoft :: WindowsOperating System :: POSIX :: LinuxProgramming Language :: Python :: 2Programming Language :: Python :: 3Topic :: Scientific/Engineering :: Electronic Design Automation (EDA) |
Evidence: klayout-0.30.10-cp310-cp310-macosx_10_9_x86_64.whl; klayout-0.30.10-cp310-cp310-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; klayout-0.30.10-cp310-cp310-manylinux_2_27_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; klayout-0.30.10-cp310-cp310-manylinux_2_27_x86_64.manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; klayout-0.30.10-cp310-cp310-musllinux_1_2_x86_64.whl; klayout-0.30.10-cp310-cp310-win32.whl; klayout-0.30.10-cp310-cp310-win_amd64.whl; klayout-0.30.10-cp311-cp311-macosx_10_9_x86_64.whl; klayout-0.30.10-cp311-cp311-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; klayout-0.30.10-cp311-cp311-manylinux_2_27_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; klayout-0.30.10-cp311-cp311-manylinux_2_27_x86_64.manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; klayout-0.30.10-cp311-cp311-musllinux_1_2_x86_64.whl; klayout-0.30.10-cp311-cp311-win32.whl; klayout-0.30.10-cp311-cp311-win_amd64.whl; klayout-0.30.10-cp312-cp312-macosx_10_13_x86_64.whl; klayout-0.30.10-cp312-cp312-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; klayout-0.30.10-cp312-cp312-manylinux_2_27_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; klayout-0.30.10-cp312-cp312-manylinux_2_27_x86_64.manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; klayout-0.30.10-cp312-cp312-musllinux_1_2_x86_64.whl; klayout-0.30.10-cp312-cp312-win32.whl
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