Halloween Pumpkin Carving Contest Β· Starts October 1st Β· $500 in prizes

31 Skull Pumpkin Templates

We curated 31 of the very best skull pumpkin templates so you can pick one and start carving in minutes.

  1. 1. Grim Reaper Pumpkin Stencil

    Grim Reaper Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A flowing Grim Reaper figure grips a long scythe at chest height, its hooded skull face glowing with hollow eye sockets as the ragged robe billows outward below. The curved scythe blade arcs dramatically across the top of the composition. Lit from within, the open robe hem, skeletal hands, and skull interior create a layered halo of light around the solid hood shape. Carve the large open robe sections last so the scythe blade, the most slender element, stays braced by the surrounding pumpkin wall while you work.

    See template β†’
  2. 2. Sugar Skull with Roses Pumpkin Stencil

    Sugar Skull with Roses Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A sugar skull face with flower-ringed eye sockets, a crown of jagged flames, a heart-shaped nose, and rectangular teeth is surrounded by six individually carved roses in this expert pumpkin stencil. Every petal cluster, leaf, and decorative element is a separate pierce-through, creating an intricate Day of the Dead tableau. The carved pumpkin glows through dozens of individual openings simultaneously. Work from the center outward: finish all skull face details before the outer roses, so you can brace the pumpkin face-side-down when carving the perimeter flower clusters.

    See template β†’
  3. 3. Skull Crown Ghost Pumpkin Stencil

    Skull Crown Ghost Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A round skull face wearing a crumbling castle battlement crown tops this ghost pumpkin stencil. Large angry eyes with flame-shaped pupils, a small cracked nose bridge, and a row of jagged teeth fill the circular face, all pierced as cut-throughs while the surrounding ring frame and crown teeth remain as solid pumpkin. The lit jack-o-lantern glows through the eyes and mouth in a fierce scowl. Carve the crown battlements first before cutting the circle frame below, so the narrow wall sections holding the crown have full support while you work.

    See template β†’
  4. 4. Skeletal Ghost Pumpkin Stencil

    Skeletal Ghost Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A skeletal ghost figure with a domed, skull-like head, jagged mouth slits, and broad swept wings dominates this pumpkin stencil. The design carves as widely spaced curved pierce-through sections that fan across both sides, leaving bold orange bridges to define the creature's torso and face. Lit from inside, the jack-o-lantern reads as a dark specter bursting outward. Cut the inner face details first before tackling the large wing panels so shifting your grip doesn't crack the delicate center column.

    See template β†’
  5. 5. Horned Demon Skull Pumpkin Stencil

    Horned Demon Skull Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A demonic horned skull with massive curved ram-like horns and a symmetrical face composed of dozens of interlocking cut fragments makes this one of the most intricate skull pumpkin stencils available. The forehead, cheeks, and jaw are all broken into shaped segments separated by thin pumpkin bridges, and the horns are densely cross-hatched with ridged cuts. Work from the center outward, cutting the tiniest interior fragments first before opening any large jaw or eye-socket voids, to avoid collapsing the many delicate bridges that hold the design together.

    See template β†’
  6. 6. Skull Face Pumpkin Stencil

    Skull Face Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    Two large angular eyes with curling inner-corner details and cocked brows form the upper half of this skull pumpkin stencil, with a small paired nasal cavity below and a wide clenched-teeth mouth at the bottom, all cuts floating separately on an otherwise solid pumpkin face. When lit, the glowing eyes and jagged teeth give the jack-o-lantern an intensely menacing expression. Cut the thin curling details inside each eye first, while the pumpkin is still rigid, then open the eye sockets, nasal holes, and wide tooth row in that order to keep the face from flexing during fine work.

    See template β†’
  7. 7. Pirate Skull Pumpkin Stencil

    Pirate Skull Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A grinning pirate skull wearing a broad tricorn hat dominates this expert-level pumpkin stencil, with a second miniature skull-and-crossbones badge emblazoned on the hat brim. Dense cutwork in the teeth row, eye sockets, and hat badge creates many small isolated pieces held together by narrow bridges of pumpkin flesh. Begin with the tiny crossbone details on the hat badge while your hands are freshest, then move to the eye sockets and finally the toothed lower jaw.

    See template β†’
  8. 8. Jack Skellington Pumpkin Stencil

    Jack Skellington Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    Two tall oval eye holes and a long horizontal stitched mouth with cross-bar teeth form the three pieces of this minimalist Skellington-style pumpkin stencil, recognizable for its sparse, elongated proportions. The eyes are simple solid ovals and the mouth is a single wide slot with evenly spaced vertical tines. Because all three cutouts are surrounded by smooth uncut pumpkin, placement matters: center the stencil higher on the pumpkin face than you think you need to, so the long mouth lands in the rounder mid-section where the wall is thickest and the tine cuts are less likely to blow out.

    See template β†’
  9. 9. Skull Pumpkin Stencil

    Skull Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    Two wide almond-shaped eye sockets with small fang-like lower details, a paired nasal cavity of two thin vertical slots, and a broad rectangular mouth with chunky upper and lower teeth make up this straightforward skull pumpkin stencil. The five main shapes are spread across the face with generous pumpkin skin between them, making this a stable carve. Cut the narrow nasal slots first since they are easiest to lose track of; follow with the eye sockets, and save the wide mouth for last so the pumpkin face remains solid while you finish the upper details.

    See template β†’
  10. 10. Spooky Text Pumpkin Stencil

    Spooky Text Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    The word "Spooky" is carved in bold bubbly lettering with each letter outlined as a cut-through shape on this Halloween pumpkin stencil. The two O's feature skull-like eye holes inside them, and drip lines hang from the letters below. Curling ribbon flourishes arc above and below the text, all pierced through. Lit from inside, the letters glow with dark gaps forming the decorative interior details. Take care to preserve the thin drip connections between letters, as those links keep each letter floating in place on the pumpkin wall.

    See template β†’
  11. 11. Pirate Skull with Parrot Pumpkin Stencil

    Pirate Skull with Parrot Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A weathered pirate skull in a battered tricorn hat stares out from this expert pumpkin stencil, a parrot perched on the skull's head and tattered coat lapels framing its hollow cheeks. The skull-and-crossbones badge on the hat, individual finger bones along the bottom, and ragged coat edges create dozens of intricate cut sections. Carve the small hat badge first, then the interior face hollows, before moving outward to the flowing coat edges where the thinnest bridges live.

    See template β†’
  12. 12. Skull and Crossbones Pumpkin Stencil

    Skull and Crossbones Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A cartoonish skull-and-crossbones fills this pumpkin stencil: a round skull with raised eyebrow lines, two large circular eye sockets, and a lower jaw bearing six stitched teeth sits at the center, while four bone ends with rounded knobs extend diagonally from behind it. The eye sockets, teeth gaps, and bone end circles are all pierced through, creating rings of glowing light that contrast with the solid skin bridges holding the design together. Carve the six small tooth gaps before tackling the larger eye socket circles to preserve the jaw structure.

    See template β†’
  13. 13. Jolly Roger Pumpkin Stencil

    Jolly Roger Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A classic Jolly Roger design fills this pumpkin stencil: a grinning skull topped by a pirate hat bearing a tiny skull-and-crossbones badge sits above two crossed cutlass swords with curled hand-guards. The eye sockets, the hat badge, the small triangular nose cavity, and the gaps between the sword blades are all pierced through. Cut the miniature hat badge first since it is the most delicate isolated element, then the eye sockets and sword gaps, before finishing with the outer hat and blade silhouette.

    See template β†’
  14. 14. Grim Reaper Pumpkin Stencil

    Grim Reaper Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A shrouded Grim Reaper grips a scythe overhead in this expert-level pumpkin stencil, packed with dozens of jagged, flowing cut sections that render tattered robes, bony fingers, a skull face peering from the hood, and a second smaller skull on the chest. The design reads as a dense web of orange skin bridges surrounding numerous glowing cutouts. Tackle the smallest interior cuts around the skull face first so you have full stencil support, then work outward through the robe details toward the large robes and scythe blade.

    See template β†’
  15. 15. Mouse Skull Pumpkin Stencil

    Mouse Skull Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    Two large round ear-shaped circles top a grinning skull face in this hard skull pumpkin stencil, the whole design dripping with melting-wax details that hang from the ears and chin. The skull's hollow round eyes and triangular nose are cut through, while the jagged smiling mouth and drip channels below the face create a pattern of narrow glowing slits. Lit inside a jack-o-lantern, the ears glow as two bright round openings above a menacing skull expression. Carve the two large ear circles first since they are structurally independent, then work down through the drips before tackling the fine interior face cuts.

    See template β†’
  16. 16. Sugar Skull Sombrero Pumpkin Stencil

    Sugar Skull Sombrero Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A calavera skull wearing a wide sombrero fills this expert pumpkin stencil: the sombrero brim is ringed with rows of small scallop-cut holes and vertical stripe slots, the crown shows banded tiers, and the skull below has large flower-shaped eye sockets, a heart-shaped nose, a grinning mouth, and curling moustache scrolls on each side. Every decorative element is cut away so candlelight floods through the scallops, stripes, and flower eyes simultaneously, creating an elaborate Day of the Dead glow. Start with the tiny scallop holes along the sombrero brim before any other cut, since those are easiest to control while the surrounding skin is still rigid.

    See template β†’
  17. 17. Sugar Skull Pumpkin Stencil

    Sugar Skull Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    This sugar-skull pumpkin stencil features a circular skull face filled with symmetrical Dia de los Muertos ornamentation: two large almond-shaped eye sockets, a central floral cross motif above them, scrollwork tendrils curling outward on both cheeks, and a rectangular tooth-grid at the chin. The design carves as a mix of open negative spaces and solid orange bridges that define each decorative element. Cut the cheek scrollwork before removing the large eye sockets, since the thin curling lines are easier to control while the surrounding wall is still solid.

    See template β†’
  18. 18. Mean Skull Pumpkin Stencil

    Mean Skull Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    Two large angled triangular eyes slash across the upper face of this jack-o-lantern stencil, pointing sharply inward to give the skull an aggressive, furrowed scowl. Below, two narrow rectangular fang-tips drop from the center, and a wide jagged mouth with three upward-pointing teeth stretches across the bottom. All six shapes are cut through individually, leaving solid orange between them to hold the face together. The small central fang-tips are easy to snap, so cut each one from the outer corner inward and avoid side pressure on the blade.

    See template β†’
  19. 19. Flaming Skull Pumpkin Stencil

    Flaming Skull Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A skull in three-quarter profile sits at the center of this hard pumpkin stencil, ringed by a crown of wild flame tongues that curl and taper at their tips. The skull's round cranium, hollow eye socket, nasal cavity, and separated teeth are all open cut-outs, while the solid skin between them forms the facial structure; the flames surrounding it are a mix of pierced channels and solid skin bridges. Carve the skull's eye socket and nose first, then work the teeth individually before tackling the outer flame tongues, which have thin tapered ends that tear if the blade stalls.

    See template β†’
  20. 20. Skeleton Guitarist Pumpkin Stencil

    Skeleton Guitarist Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A Day of the Dead skeleton musician stands full-body on this expert pumpkin stencil, wearing a wide-brimmed sombrero and playing a guitar: the skull face shows simple round eyes and a stitched nose, the ribcage is rendered as horizontal bone-slat cut-outs on the torso, the guitar strings are five parallel pierced lines, and the bony legs end in boots. The five guitar strings are the most fragile element, each a thin channel of open space; carve them last with a very sharp narrow blade in single straight strokes, and support the surrounding pumpkin skin with one finger while cutting.

    See template β†’
  21. 21. Jolly Roger Pumpkin Stencil

    Jolly Roger Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A classic Jolly Roger composition fills this hard pumpkin stencil: a large tricorn pirate hat at the top with an X emblem on its band, a grinning skull face below with oval eyes and a row of small separated teeth, and two crossed cutlass swords extending diagonally from behind the skull. The swords are cut as wide open shapes that frame the face, while the skull's eye sockets and the gaps between each tooth are the smallest, most fragile details. Carve the broad sword shapes first to release the large areas of pumpkin skin, then work inward to the fine tooth gaps using a narrow pointed blade.

    See template β†’
  22. 22. Cowboy Skull Pumpkin Stencil

    Cowboy Skull Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A grinning cowboy-hat skull faces three-quarters toward the viewer, its wide-brimmed hat battered and torn along the crown. Hollow eye sockets and an open jaw with individually delineated upper and lower teeth are pierced through, while the hat brim, cheekbones, and nose cavity form a complex arrangement of solid bridges. Flame wisps curl at the chin. When lit, the teeth row and eye sockets glow against the dark skull mass, creating a hard-boiled undead outlaw look. Cut each tooth gap individually rather than sweeping through the whole row to keep the ridges crisp.

    See template β†’
  23. 23. Evil Rabbit Skull Pumpkin Stencil

    Evil Rabbit Skull Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A sinister rabbit skull stares from this hard-level pumpkin stencil: the elongated ears flow upward into wild flame-like wisps, and the face is a mask of interlocking oval and rectangular cutouts forming the eye sockets, snout bridge, and a row of small rounded teeth at the bottom. The entire composition is tightly packed with narrow white-line channels separating each island, so the lit jack-o-lantern glows with an intricate dark-rabbit visage. Begin by cutting the row of small round teeth at the base before moving up to the larger eye and snout openings, as the teeth are the most isolated and easiest to free without disturbing surrounding bridges.

    See template β†’
  24. 24. Skull and Crossbones Pumpkin Stencil

    Skull and Crossbones Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A skull-and-crossbones design with a feminine twist fills this pumpkin stencil: a small round skull wears a decorative bow on top, its large eye sockets rendered as open flame shapes, while a pair of crossed bones extends to the left and right behind it. The cut-out eye flames and a tiny tooth row are pierced through against the solid skull mass, and four rounded bone ends glow as separate openings at the corners. Cut the small decorative bow petals at the crown before opening the larger eye shapes, so the thin pumpkin wall connecting the bow to the skull doesn't flex and tear.

    See template β†’
  25. 25. Flaming Skull Pumpkin Stencil

    Flaming Skull Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A compact cartoon skull wearing a crown of jagged flame spikes fills this pumpkin stencil, its round head showing two circular eye sockets, a small curved smile, and a row of three square teeth below, all surrounded by an aggressive ring of pointed flames and lightning-bolt tabs. The flames and most features are pierced-through openings, leaving solid bridges between the skull face and the outer flame ring. Cut the small oval and teardrop-shaped flame scatter pieces at the very top first, then work down through the zigzag flame ring before tackling the skull face openings, to keep the narrow bridges between flames intact as long as possible.

    See template β†’
  26. 26. Cracked Skull Pumpkin Stencil

    Cracked Skull Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A side-facing human skull, cracked and fragmented, makes up this dramatic pumpkin stencil. Jagged fracture lines split the cranium into separate floating pieces, a single large orbital socket sits center-left, a smaller eye socket appears at the right, and the jaw opens to reveal ragged broken teeth. The intact pumpkin skin forms the skull fragments themselves while the large skull cavity, orbital holes, and tooth gaps are cut away. Carve the thin fracture-line gaps between skull fragments carefully and early, then work outward to the large open skull interior.

    See template β†’
  27. 27. Sugar Skull Pumpkin Stencil

    Sugar Skull Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A Day of the Dead sugar skull topped with a crescent moon cutout sits above two crossed bones on this expert ghost pumpkin stencil. The skull face is packed with ornate floral-style cut-out circles, petal shapes, a nose diamond, and a grid-patterned mouth, all surrounded by thin decorative bridges. Because so many small circular cutouts cluster around the eye sockets, carve both large eye circles first to relieve the surrounding tension, then work outward through the smaller petal and dot details.

    See template β†’
  28. 28. Sugar Skull Pumpkin Stencil

    Sugar Skull Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A sugar skull face radiates symmetry in this Dia de los Muertos pumpkin stencil, with two large oval eye openings, a heart-shaped nose, and a row of rectangular teeth cut through, flanked on each side by detailed rose clusters with petal loops. The forehead band is a broad solid bridge separating the floral crown region from the face below. Cut the intricate rose petal loops before the large eye ovals, since the petals are fragile and need the surrounding wall still intact for support.

    See template β†’
  29. 29. Grim Reaper Pumpkin Stencil

    Grim Reaper Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A compact cartoon Grim Reaper stands front-facing with a skull face peering out from a rounded hood, angular raised arms gripping a long diagonal scythe pole, a blocky robe body with visible feet, and a small wisp of ground fog at the base on this hard pumpkin stencil. The scythe blade is a large separate curved cutout at the upper right, while the skull face features two angular eye holes and a small nose cutout. Cut the scythe blade first since it is isolated and large, then the hood opening, skull details, and robe voids in that order.

    See template β†’
  30. 30. Cute Skull Pumpkin Stencil

    Cute Skull Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A cute, stylized skull face looks straight out of this beginner pumpkin stencil, with two large round eye sockets and a small triangular nose cut through, all enclosed in a rounded skull outline broken into arc segments. The lower jaw shows four chunky teeth separated by gaps, and small curved cheekbone accents frame the face. Because the skull outline is split into separate arcs rather than one continuous ring, carve each arc segment individually so the gaps between them stay crisp.

    See template β†’
  31. 31. Skull Face Pumpkin Stencil

    Skull Face Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A skull face pumpkin stencil built from two large circular eye sockets, a heart-shaped nasal cavity, two angled cheekbone tabs, and two rows of individual oval teeth lining an open jaw. All the white areas cut through, so the finished jack-o-lantern reads unmistakably as a skeleton against the dark. The two rows of closely packed oval teeth are the trickiest part: cut each tooth individually rather than scooping the whole jaw at once, and leave the tiny bridges between them for last so none tip inward.

    See template β†’

31 down β€” and there are dozens more pumpkin templates in the full library if you want to keep browsing.

Browse all pumpkin templates β†’
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