What Carrd offers on each plan
Carrd's homepage mentions dozens of templates alongside a blank option. [1] Its features page describes premium templates as "starting point templates exclusive to Pro plans", and its plans page lists premium and custom templates on Pro Lite, Pro Standard and Pro Plus alike. [2] [3] The 7-day trial, which needs no card, also includes premium templates. [5] Carrd's pages do not publish a count of free versus premium templates, so browse the gallery yourself before deciding.
| Plan | Yearly price | Template access | Limits that affect a template |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Built-in templates that are not premium [2] | 50 elements per site; up to 3 sites; no forms [6] [1] [3] |
| Pro trial (7 days) | $0, no card | Premium templates [5] | 150 elements per site [6] |
| Pro Lite | $9 | Premium and custom templates [3] [4] | No element limit; no custom domain or forms [3] |
| Pro Standard | $19 | Premium and custom templates [3] | Adds custom domain, forms, widgets [3] |
| Pro Plus | $49 | Premium and custom templates [3] | Adds advanced forms, redirects, password protection [3] |
How a starting template constrains you
A Carrd template is a set of elements and, often, sections. Sections are named regions separated by Section Break elements, with optional header and footer markers. [7] [8] If a template is built as one long scroll and you want a menu that switches between sections, or the reverse, you are restructuring rather than editing.
Element counts matter on the free plan. Carrd limits free sites to 50 elements, and every element in the template counts. [6] A template that arrives near that number leaves little room for your own content unless you upgrade. Pro plans remove the limit. [4]
Forms are the other trap. Contact and signup forms need Pro Standard, and custom forms need Pro Plus. [3] [9] A template that shows a form will not give you a working one on Free or Pro Lite.
Checklist for choosing a template
- Write your section list first (for example: intro, services, proof, pricing, contact), then look for a template with the same order.
- Check whether the template uses sections that switch, or a single scroll; pick the model you want. [7]
- Find the form: is it where you want the call to action, and does your plan include forms? [3]
- Count elements on the free plan; stay well under 50 to leave room. [6]
- Switch to the builder's mobile view and check headings, buttons and images on a narrow screen.
- Replace every placeholder image and line of text before publishing; check the share image, which needs Pro Lite. [10]
When a blank start is faster
Our rule of thumb, not a Carrd statement: if you would delete more than half a template's sections, start blank. Carrd's docs we read do not describe swapping the template under an existing site, so treat your first choice as the structure you will keep. [1]
| Situation | Start from | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Link-in-bio page with five buttons | Template | Most templates already match; edits are text and links |
| Single product launch with signup form | Template with form near top | Placement is the hard part; Pro Standard needed for the form [3] |
| Brand with strict colours and fonts | Blank | Restyling every element takes longer than adding them |
| Multi-section site with a switching menu | Template already using sections | Header marker and section links are already wired [7] |
Custom templates for repeat builds
If you build similar sites for clients or events, Carrd's custom templates (Pro Lite or higher) let you save your own starting point and use it like a built-in template, instead of cloning a site each time. You can share custom templates with other users or make them public. [11]
Before paying, use the 7-day trial to build your real site from a premium template and check it on a phone. [5] This guide is based on Carrd's published pages; we have not reviewed every template in the gallery.
Questions before you decide
Are Carrd templates free?
Carrd offers built-in templates and a blank start on its free plan; premium templates and custom templates require a Pro plan, from Pro Lite at $9 a year.
Will a template with a contact form work on Carrd Free?
No. Carrd's plans page lists contact and signup forms from Pro Standard up, so the form will not function on Free or Pro Lite.
Can I make my own Carrd template?
Yes, with Pro Lite or higher. Custom templates can be reused, shared with other users or made public.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- Carrd home page Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Carrd docs: Pro features Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Carrd docs: Pro plans Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Carrd Pro plan comparison Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Carrd docs: Pro trial Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Carrd docs: building troubleshooting Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Carrd docs: using sections Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Carrd docs: setting up a section Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Carrd docs: setting up a custom form Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Carrd docs: adding a share image Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Carrd docs: working with custom templates Accessed 30 Oct 2026
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