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LED symbol and footprint

Lesson 2.3 · KiCad · free

Now the LED, a Würth Elektronik 158301265A (white, 1206). Its datasheet says 2.8 V and 65 mA, which suits our 5 V board.

In this lesson · 6 steps
  1. Read the LED datasheet
  2. New symbol
  3. Symbol properties
  4. Footprint: two pads by hand
  5. Polarity arrow and courtyard
  6. 3D model and link

1Read the LED datasheet

  1. Dimensions, recommended land pattern and schematic: forward voltage 2.8 V, current 65 mA

2New symbol

  1. Symbol Editor → select your library → New Symbol → name 158301265A, default reference LED
  2. Two pins, both Power input: C (cathode, pin 1) and A (anode, pin 2), as in the datasheet
  3. Draw the diode with lines, plus two small arrows for the light

3Symbol properties

  1. Datasheet: browse to the PDF · Description: from the distributor page (e.g. LED Lighting - White, Cool 6500K … 2.8V 65mA 120° 1206)
  2. Fields Manufacturer = Würth Elektronik, Part Number = 158301265A, Keywords LED → OK → save

4Footprint: two pads by hand

  1. Footprint Editor → your library → New Footprint
  2. Pad 1: 1.8 × 1 mm at x = -1.1 · Pad 2: 1 × 1 mm at x = 0.7
Why?
We take the centre of the gap as the footprint origin. Then each pad's position is half the gap plus half the pad.

5Polarity arrow and courtyard

  1. On F.Silkscreen, draw an arrow from anode to cathode, the way the current flows
  2. Pick F.Courtyard → draw a rectangle around the part
  3. Rename the footprint 158301265A → save

63D model and link

  1. Download the STEP file (e.g. from Component Search Engine) → Footprint Properties → 3D Models → add it → offset X -0.4 mm → OK → save
  2. Symbol Editor → LED symbol → Footprint: 158301265A → save
Check & troubleshoot

What you should see

  • Symbol 158301265A, reference LED, pins 1 = C (cathode) and 2 = A (anode)
  • Footprint: pad 1 is 1.8 × 1 mm, pad 2 is 1 × 1 mm, 0.4 mm gap
  • A courtyard rectangle on F.Courtyard around the part
  • The 3D model sits on the pads

If it doesn't work

  • LED lights the wrong way round later: check which pad is the cathode in the datasheet and that pin and pad numbers match
  • Can't draw on the courtyard: pick the F.Courtyard layer in the layer list first
  • No 3D model on the distributor site: try Component Search Engine (free account)

Good to know

  • Pad positions: we put the origin in the middle of the gap. The gap is 0.4 mm, so each pad starts 0.2 mm from the centre; a 1 mm pad then has its centre at 0.2 + 0.5 = 0.7 mm
  • The courtyard is the space a part needs. Before ordering, KiCad checks that no two courtyards overlap, because two parts can't sit in the same place

Next: Lesson 2.4: the last part, the USB-C connector, with through-hole pads.