Halloween just wouldn't be Halloween without a jack-o'-lantern. Whether you prefer a ghoulish pumpkin design or a goofy one, the patterns provided in this article make carving the perfect pumpkin easy. Or, you can use these pattern ideas to create your own creepy pumpkin face. We'll cover how to use a pattern and even adjust it to fit the size of your pumpkin.

Designs and Patterns

The design you carve into your jack-o'-lantern can be simple or fancy, but it will be easier if you first work out the design on paper. Use the enlargement guide below to figure out how big to make the pattern.

Trim the excess paper from the pattern. Dry the pumpkin, then position the pattern with masking or painter's tape. Use a pushpin, nail, or ballpoint pen to trace the outline of the pattern by poking small holes through the paper and the pumpkin skin. The closer the holes, the finer the detail you can achieve.

Trace the outline of the pattern by poking small holes into the pumpkin.
Trace the outline of the pattern by
poking small holes into the pumpkin.
When you have finished poking the holes, remove the pattern and set it aside for reference. To better see the design, rub flour into the holes or use a pen or marker to "connect the dots."

Use a pen to connect the dots when carving a pumpkin.
Use a pen to connect the dots.

Enlargement Guide

Measure the pumpkin's face (where you will place the design), then find the corresponding percentage on the chart below. Key in that percentage when you photocopy the pattern. You may need to adjust the percentage to fit your particular pumpkin.

Pumpkin Size
 Enlargement Needed
6-inch
 200%
7-inch
 233%
8-inch
 266%
9-inch
 300%
10-inch
 333%
11-inch
 366%
12-inch
 400%
13-inch
 433%
14-inch
466%
15-inch
500%

Now that you know how to size a pattern and transfer it to the pumpkin, let's look at some fun patterns you can use. Funny-face pumpkin patterns, especially popular with kids, are on the next page.

To make the most out of your Halloween, try these:

  • Halloween Stories: Check out this article for bone-chilling ghost stories and other scary Halloween tales.
  • Halloween Crafts has great do-it-yourself projects for Halloween, from trick-or-treat boxes to candy jewelry.
  • Halloween Decorations: Set a spooky Halloween scene for less by making your own decorations. Instructions for dozens of decorations are included.
  • Kids' Halloween Costumes: See this article for unique costume ideas for your ghosts and goblins.
  • Halloween Masks: Want an easy way to dress up for Halloween? Try a mask instead of a costume.
  • Halloween Games includes more than 20 spooktacular games to entertain kids and adults alike.
  • Halloween Recipes: Learn how to make dozens of bewitching Halloween treats.
  • How to Bake Pumpkin Seeds: Don't discard those pumpkin "guts!" Find out how to make a traditional holiday snack.
  • How Halloween Works traces the popular holiday’s Celtic roots to American traditions celebrated today.