Which Version Of AutoCAD Is Free? (Answered)

Introduction

Many people ask “Which version of AutoCAD is free?” Whether you need AutoCAD for study, work evaluation, or simple viewing, this guide explains the legal free options, how to get them step by step, alternatives, common errors and fixes, and practical tips. The explanations are beginner-friendly and optimized for search terms like free AutoCAD version, AutoCAD free download, AutoCAD student license, and AutoCAD trial.

What “free” actually means for AutoCAD

Full, unrestricted AutoCAD is a paid product. There is no permanently free full desktop AutoCAD for commercial use.
Autodesk provides several legal free or limited-access options:
- 30-day free trial of the full desktop AutoCAD (evaluation).
- Free educational license for students and educators (time-limited, renewable while eligible).
- AutoCAD mobile app with free basic features (view/measure/annotate); advanced features require subscription.
- Free viewers (DWG TrueView, Autodesk Viewer) for opening and viewing DWG files (no full editing).
If you need a permanently free CAD program, consider open-source alternatives (see Alternatives section).

Which option should you choose?

Choose the 30-day free trial if you want to test the full desktop AutoCAD for a short evaluation period.
Choose the educational license if you are a student, teacher, or qualifying educational institution and need AutoCAD for learning or teaching (not for commercial work).
Use the mobile app or DWG viewer when you only need to view or do light edits on the go.
Use free alternatives if you need a free long-term CAD tool and can accept different interfaces or DWG compatibility limitations.

How to get the free AutoCAD trial or educational license (step-by-step)

Create an Autodesk account
- Go to the Autodesk website and click Sign In / Create Account.
- Provide name, email, and create a password. Verify your email.
Choose the correct product page
- For the trial: visit the AutoCAD product page and click Free Trial.
- For students/educators: visit Autodesk Education Community or the AutoCAD product page and select Education Access.
For the 30-day trial (desktop)
- Click Download Free Trial.
- Select your OS, language, and preferred version.
- Download the installer, then run it. Accept license terms and follow installation prompts.
- Launch AutoCAD; sign in with your Autodesk account to activate the 30-day trial.
For the educational license (students and educators)
- On the Autodesk Education page, click Get Products and select AutoCAD.
- Verify educational eligibility (you’ll need to upload proof like student ID, enrollment letter, or faculty ID).
- Once verified, choose your OS and download.
- Install AutoCAD and sign in with the same Autodesk account. The license will be activated for the education term (renewal may be required while eligible).
For AutoCAD mobile app
- Install from App Store or Google Play.
- Sign in with your Autodesk account to use free viewing and basic tools; subscribe for advanced mobile features.
For DWG TrueView / Autodesk Viewer
- DWG TrueView: download from Autodesk (Windows only) to view and convert DWG files.
- Autodesk Viewer: upload DWG to the web viewer to inspect files online (no install).

Alternative free options (if AutoCAD isn’t required)

FreeCAD — Open-source parametric 3D CAD (good for mechanical and 3D modeling).
LibreCAD — Free 2D CAD (DWG import via DXF; good for simple drafting).
nanoCAD Free — Free version with a familiar interface (DWG compatible).
Onshape (free plan) — Browser-based CAD for non-commercial use with version control.
Note: Compatibility with AutoCAD DWG varies; always test import/export before switching workflows.

Common errors and fixes during download, install, or activation

Error: “Installer failed” or “Corrupt download”
- Fix: Re-download using a stable connection; temporarily disable antivirus/firewall; run installer as Administrator.
Error: “Activation failed” or “License not found”
- Fix: Make sure you’re signed in with the Autodesk account used to download the trial or educational license. Check internet connection. For education licenses, confirm verification completed.
Error: “Insufficient system requirements / graphics issues”
- Fix: Check Autodesk’s system requirements for the specific AutoCAD version. Update graphics drivers; use software rendering if GPU causes crashes. Lower display settings.
Error: “Educational license watermark or restricted for commercial use”
- Fix: This is expected. The educational license is intended for learning and typically marks outputs. For commercial use, purchase a paid subscription.
Error: “Product expires / trial ended”
- Fix: If trial ends, choose to subscribe or install a free alternative. Students with continued eligibility can renew educational access per Autodesk policy.

Practical tips and best practices

Always use legal licenses — avoid cracks or unofficial downloads (they’re illegal and dangerous).
Before installing, check system requirements and free disk space.
Create an Autodesk account and keep credentials secure.
When using the educational license, read the terms: it’s usually not allowed for commercial projects and may add watermarks.
Use the trial to test features critical to your workflow (rendering, 3D modeling, industry toolsets).
Back up your drawings frequently and use DWG format compatibility settings when exchanging files.
For long-term free use, evaluate open-source alternatives and test DWG exchange fidelity.
Keep software updated, but avoid updating mid-project if team members use a different AutoCAD version—coordinate version updates.

Errors during installation — quick troubleshooting checklist

Are you signed in with the correct Autodesk account?
Is your OS and hardware meeting minimum specs?
Is the installer file complete (check file size/hash)?
Are you running the installer as Administrator?
Did you temporarily disable antivirus/firewall blocking the installer?
If graphics crash, switch to software rendering in AutoCAD’s options or update GPU drivers.

FAQ

Is there a permanently free, full version of AutoCAD for commercial use?

No. Full AutoCAD is a paid product for commercial use. Free legal options are limited to trials, educational licenses (non-commercial), mobile app basics, and viewers.

How long does the AutoCAD free trial last?

AutoCAD typically offers a 30-day free trial of the full desktop application for evaluation.

Can students use AutoCAD for free professionally?

No. The educational license is for learning and teaching only. Output created under an educational license often carries watermarks and is not licensed for commercial work.

Do free viewers let me edit DWG files?

No. Tools like DWG TrueView and Autodesk Viewer are primarily for viewing and converting DWG files. For full editing you need AutoCAD or other CAD editors.

Is the AutoCAD mobile app free?

The AutoCAD mobile app offers free basic features (view, measure, annotate). Advanced editing and syncing features require a subscription.

What should I do if the AutoCAD installer keeps failing?

Try these steps: re-download the installer, run as Administrator, disable antivirus temporarily, ensure you meet system requirements, and update Windows/macOS and GPU drivers. If problems persist, contact Autodesk support.

Are there free alternatives fully compatible with DWG?

No free alternative guarantees perfect DWG compatibility. Tools like FreeCAD, LibreCAD, and nanoCAD can handle many tasks, but DWG fidelity and advanced AutoCAD features may differ. Test with your files before switching.

How do I prove I’m a student or educator for the educational license?

Autodesk typically requires proof of enrollment or employment: student ID, enrollment letter, school email address, or other institution documents. Upload these during the education registration process.