Create diagrams with the free yEd Graph Editor for Windows PC

yEd

yEd

  -  145.61 MB  -  Freeware
  • Latest Version

    yEd Graph Editor 3.25.1 LATEST

  • Review by

    Juan Garcia

  • Operating System

    Windows 7 / Windows 8 / Windows 10 / Windows 11

  • User Rating

    Click to vote
  • Author / Product

    yWorks / External Link

  • Filename

    yEd-3.25.1_with-JRE23_64-bit_setup.exe

  • MD5 Checksum

    8a18ef976affc6c90151401a718db40c

yEd is a powerful desktop app that can be used to quickly and effectively generate high-quality diagrams. Create diagrams manually, or import your external data for analysis.

Automatic layout algorithms arrange even large data sets with just the press of a button. yEd Graph Editor is freely available and runs on all major platforms: Windows, Unix/Linux, and macOS.

yEd Screenshot 1

Features and Highlights
  • An interactive hierarchical layout can be used to interactively lay out hierarchical or pseudo-hierarchical scenarios.
  • Hierarchical Layout can be used to perfectly visualize hierarchical or pseudo-hierarchical scenarios.
  • Orthogonal Layout produces clear representations of complex networks.
  • Organic Layout and Smart Organic Layout produce clear representations of complex diagrams like ER-diagrams, UML diagrams, and many more.
  • Organic Edge Router reroutes edges in existing drawings organically.
  • An Orthogonal Edge Router can reroute edges in existing drawings orthogonally.
  • Circular Layout portrays interconnected ring and star topologies perfectly.
  • Tree Layout can be used to visualize tree-like structures in many different ways.
  • The tree layout algorithms can also be used on graphs that are almost like trees.
  • A customizable workplace lets you arrange your tool windows to your needs
  • Table-like property editors allow you to configure the graphical properties easily
  • Internationalization: yEd has been localized in English, German, and partially in Japanese
  • A sophisticated print preview allows you to preview the printing results (especially useful for poster-printing)
  • Session Management: yEd remembers and manages your settings
  • Undoability support
  • Clipboard facility
  • Keyboard shortcuts for most of the functions
  • Integrated help system
  • Full support for the YGF file format. The native file format.
  • Full support for the XML-based GraphML file format.
  • Full support for the GML graph file format. GML is a popular text-based graph file format.
  • Full support for the XML-based GML graph file format. This is a variant of the GML language that uses XML syntax.
  • Import of arbitrary XML files. An XSLT stylesheet must be given that transforms the XML input into a valid GraphML. Predefined stylesheets for Ant build scripts, the OWL Web ontology language, and others are included.
  • Export to the SVG vector graphics file format.
  • Export to the Windows Meta File (WMF) file format. A vector graphics format used in almost any Windows application.
  • Export to JPG and GIF file formats. Export large images as multiple images, and HTML tables are also supported!
  • Export to BMP (on Windows machines) and PNG file formats.
yEd Screenshot 2

Whats new
  • Introduced a new Auto Alignment tool that allows snapping nodes to the same X or Y coordinate for cleaner diagram layouts.
  • Added a new Compact Disk layout algorithm for tightly packed node arrangements.
  • Organic layout enhanced with support for integrated edge labeling and improved handling of directed edges and substructures.
  • Circular layout expanded with support for star substructures, improved label handling, and additional edge routing options.
  • Radial layout improved with node–type–based optimization and enhanced label handling strategies.
  • Balloon layout updated to group nodes of the same type more effectively.
  • Tabular layout improved to minimize overall edge length in node arrangements.
  • Added support for importing node symbols via the properties mapper.
  • Improved compatibility with various GraphML format variants used in commercial yFiles diagramming libraries.
  • Added edge template preview when dragging from the palette into the editor area.
  • Updated bundled Java Runtime Environment to newer OpenJDK versions for improved performance and compatibility.
How to Use
  • Launch the program and create a new graph
  • Use the toolbar to add nodes and edges
  • Customize shapes, colors, and labels
  • Arrange elements using automatic layout tools
  • Save your graph in various formats (PNG, PDF, etc.)
  • Export data for external use or printing
yEd Screenshot 5

FAQs


What is yEd Graph Editor used for?
yEd Graph Editor is a desktop diagramming application developed by yWorks that allows users to create high-quality diagrams such as flowcharts, organizational charts, network diagrams, UML diagrams, and mind maps. It is widely used for visualizing structured data and complex systems.

What makes yEd different from other diagram tools?
One of yEd’s strongest features is its powerful automatic layout algorithms, which can arrange complex diagrams quickly and clearly. Users can import structured data (such as spreadsheets or XML) and automatically generate well-organized visual representations.

Is yEd free to use?
Yes. yEd Graph Editor is available as a free desktop application for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It does not require a subscription for core functionality, making it accessible for students, professionals, and organizations.

Is yEd still relevant in 2026?
Yes. In 2026, yEd remains relevant for users who need a lightweight yet powerful desktop-based diagram tool with advanced layout automation. While cloud-based diagramming tools are popular, yEd continues to appeal to users who prefer offline work and strong data-driven layout capabilities.

System Requirements
  • Windows 10 or Windows 11
  • Java Runtime Environment (JRE) required
  • Minimum 2GB RAM (4GB recommended)
  • 200MB of free disk space
  • Compatible with 64-bit and 32-bit systems
PROS
  • Intuitive and user-friendly interface
  • Advanced automatic layout algorithms
  • Supports multiple export formats
  • Free to use with no limitations
  • Customizable node and edge properties
CONS
  • Requires Java for installation
  • No real-time collaboration features
  • Can be resource-intensive for large graphs
  • Limited 3D visualization options
  • Lacks built-in cloud storage integration
Also Available: Download yEd for Mac

Why is this app published on FileHorse? (More info)
  • yEd Graph Editor 3.25.1 Screenshots

    The images below have been resized. Click on them to view the screenshots in full size.

    yEd Graph Editor 3.25.1 Screenshot 1
  • yEd Graph Editor 3.25.1 Screenshot 2
  • yEd Graph Editor 3.25.1 Screenshot 3
  • yEd Graph Editor 3.25.1 Screenshot 4
  • yEd Graph Editor 3.25.1 Screenshot 5

What's new in this version:

Security fixes:
- Updated the Apache XMLBeans library to prevent an XML External Entity injection vulnerability when parsing Excel files