26 open source boards using the Z80CPU
Real designs built with the Z80CPU, from public GitHub projects: a quick way to see how others power, decouple and connect it. Each board comes with its KiCad files, full parts list and a render — and you can simulate its firmware on HardLabs.
PICNeptune
Board-Folk
191.2 × 190.9 mm372 parts4LNo license175
Z80-cmos nmos tester
djtersteegc
81.3 × 86.4 mm38 parts2LMIT61
MegaDrive
stonedDiscord
239.3 × 191 mm256 parts2LNo license47
Jupiter-II
ricaflops
164.5 × 89.5 mm122 partsMIT43
Zx2022
michalin
100 × 100 mm34 parts2LGPL-3.041
Mgh80
Kris-Sekula
100 × 100 mm32 parts2LNo license34
Sg1000
barbeque
162.2 × 134.6 mm71 parts2LCC-BY-NC-4.033
C128-z80-8mhz
ytmytm
31.5 × 75.7 mm11 parts2LNo license28
RetroZ SBC for S80
formix
127 × 73.7 mm48 parts2LApache-2.022
Coleco original
sparkletron
168.4 × 214 mm218 parts2LMIT16
BitStack-DigiTrainer
RetroStack
320 × 150 mm262 parts2LMIT2
Z80-cmos nmos tester
Vakon84
81.3 × 86.4 mm38 parts2LMIT2
Mgh80 1.0
100 × 100 mm29 parts2LNo license34
Coleco original main only
168.4 × 214 mm182 parts2LMIT16
Z80 adapter
hoglet67
49 × 75.2 mm47 parts2LGPL-3.0109
Z80 adapter
49 × 75.2 mm47 parts2LNo license66
Z80 adapter
sharpie7
49 × 75.2 mm47 parts2LGPL-2.019
Z80 Cpu Board
obiwanjacobi
99.7 × 99.7 mm38 parts2LCustom license16
CPU
KALTCHUK
99.7 × 69.9 mm29 parts2LNo license94
Z80blinken
jblang
101.6 × 53.3 mm27 parts2LMIT73
Z80Proto
transistorfet
59.7 × 99.7 mm22 parts2LGPL-3.069
Z80 adapter
49 × 75.2 mm47 parts2LGPL-3.017
ReZyklus.Z80BufferBoard
jeroenhn
69.2 × 64.1 mm36 parts2LNo license12
Z80ram
99.8 × 49.9 mm19 parts2LMIT73
NXPMCLZ8
MicroCoreLabs
37.1 × 61.5 mm6 parts4LNo license532
NXPMCLZ8
41 × 62.6 mm6 parts2LNo license12
The Z80CPU in open source designs
The gallery holds 26 open source boards using the Z80CPU from 22 GitHub repositories; a typical one measures about 99.8 × 86.4 mm and carries around 38 components.
92% are two-layer designs, the rest use four layers or more, and 54% carry an open source license.
The most starred is MCLZ8 PCB by MicroCoreLabs.
Parts used alongside the Z80CPU
What boards using the Z80CPU are built for
Z80CPU: common questions
Where can I find a Z80CPU reference design?
Each of the 26 boards on this page is a real design using the Z80CPU. Open one to see how it is wired up, with the full BOM, a render of the layout and links to its KiCad files.
What parts are used alongside the Z80CPU?
The 74LS00, 74LS02, 74LS32, 74LVC4245 and 27C256 appear in the most repositories here.
Which microcontrollers do boards using the Z80CPU use?
Most are built on NXP (2) and PIC (1).
How big is a typical board using the Z80CPU?
The median is 99.8 × 86.4 mm, and 92% are two-layer designs.
What is the most popular open source board using the Z80CPU?
By GitHub stars, MCLZ8 PCB by MicroCoreLabs, with 532 stars.
Can I simulate one of these boards using the Z80CPU before building it?
Yes. HardLabs turns a board's netlist and BOM into a working simulation, so you can boot and test firmware against it with no hardware on your desk.