Autodesk AutoCAD: Design and drafting software trusted by millions

2D and 3D CAD tools built to accelerate your creativity

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What is Autodesk AutoCAD?

Autodesk AutoCAD equips architects, engineers and construction professionals with precision tools to:

Design and annotate 2D geometry and 3D models with solids, surfaces and mesh objects

Automate drafting tasks to place objects with AI, compare drawings, create schedules, publish layouts and more

Maximise productivity with customised workspaces, AutoLISP, APIs and apps

See system requirements (US Site)

See what's new in AutoCAD 2025

Autodesk AutoCAD 2025 overview video introducing Autodesk AI

AutoCAD 2025 overview video featuring Autodesk AI (2:20 mins.)

Building design in Autodesk AutoCAD displays 2D floorplan and 3D model

Create your designs with 2D drawing and 3D modelling tools

Dialogue window open in Autodesk AutoCAD for the Smart Blocks: Search and Convert tool

Use Smart Blocks to convert and replace objects efficiently

Dialogue window open in Autodesk AutoCAD with options to share link to active floorplan drawing with collaborators

Quickly share secure links to designs with colleagues

File browser window open in Autodesk AutoCAD to select markup file to import with floorplan preview

Gather markups without impacting the original design

Autodesk Docs palette open in Autodesk AutoCAD

Publish your designs to Autodesk Docs in fewer steps

Why use AutoCAD?

Accelerate your creativity

Use features that unlock insights and automations with the help of Autodesk AI.

Experience true flexibility

Build, customise and run discipline-specific routines for productive workflows.

Connect your teams

Collaborate on the web and mobile to capture, share and review ideas on the go.

Extend functionality with seven toolsets

AutoCAD includes toolsets designed to save you time with enhanced features and intelligent objects. Increase productivity by 63% on average for tasks completed using one of seven toolsets.*

Productivity data based on a series of studies commissioned by Autodesk to an outside consultant. The seven toolset studies compared basic AutoCAD to the specialized toolsets within AutoCAD when performing tasks commonly done by experienced AutoCAD users. Overall productivity gain calculation based on adding the completion times of specific tasks in the toolset and also in basic AutoCAD and then calculating the percent difference between the two totals across seven studies. As with all performance tests, results may vary based on the machine, operating system, filters and even source material. While every effort has been made to make the tests as fair and objective as possible, your results may differ. Product information and specifications are subject to change without notice. Autodesk provides this information “as is”, without warranty of any kind, either express or implied.

What you can do with Autodesk AutoCAD

Unlock efficient workflows

AutoCAD enhances your 2D and 3D design experience by giving you the tools to unlock insights and automations with the help of Autodesk AI.

View AutoCAD features

Enhancements over the years (US Site)

AutoLISP palette open in Autodesk AutoCAD

Design and collaborate with flexibility

Work the way you want. Stay connected to projects with one AutoCAD experience on desktop, web and mobile to capture, share and review ideas on the go.

View web features

Manage design data across projects

Reliably streamline document review and approval workflows with Autodesk Docs, our cloud-based document management and common data environment available in the AEC Collection.

View AEC Collection

Learn more about Autodesk Docs

'With AutoCAD, we can layer everything for a comprehensive view, which is essential for successful designs.'

—Ambrose Luk, Senior Design Associate, Munden Fry Landscape Associates

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'Once I start working on a guitar design in AutoCAD, I just can’t stop until it’s finished.'

—Jort Heijen, Guitar Designer and Owner, Red Layer Guitars

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'Using AutoCAD and creating dynamic blocks really sped up things for us.'

—Brook Quach, Senior Design Director, Workshop/APD

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'Bridges to Prosperity uses AutoCAD because it’s a powerful tool for making clean drawings.'

—Etienne Mutebutsi, Needs Assessment Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa, Bridges to Prosperity

Read story (US Site)

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is AutoCAD used for?

AutoCAD is computer-aided design (CAD) software that is used for precise 2D and 3D drafting, design and modelling with solids, surfaces, mesh objects, documentation features and more. It includes features to automate tasks and increase productivity such as comparing drawings, counting, adding objects and creating tables. It also comes with seven industry-specific toolsets for electrical design, plant design, architecture layout drawings, mechanical design, 3D mapping, adding scanned images and converting raster images. AutoCAD enables users to create, edit and annotate drawings via desktop, web and mobile devices.

Who uses AutoCAD?

AutoCAD is used by students, architects, designers, engineers, project managers, property developers and construction professionals to create precise 2D and 3D drawings.

What's the difference between AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT?

AutoCAD LT is powerful 2D CAD software used for precision drafting and documentation. AutoCAD includes all the features of AutoCAD LT, plus additional features to benefit productivity such as 3D modelling and automation of repetitive processes. AutoCAD also lets you customise the user interface with APIs and add-on apps. With AutoCAD, users are able work more efficiently with seven industry-specific toolsets to enhance automation and productivity for tasks in architecture, mechanical design, electrical design, plant design, plumbing, converting raster images, geographic information systems and 3D mapping.

Can I use AutoCAD for free?

Yes. Students and educators can get free one-year educational access to Autodesk products and services, renewable for as long as you remain eligible. Learn more (US site).

Which versions of AutoCAD can I use if I subscribe to the current version?

Your AutoCAD subscription gives you access to install and use the three previous versions of AutoCAD. Available downloads are listed in your Autodesk Account after subscribing. See also previous releases available for subscribers.

Can I install AutoCAD on multiple computers?

With a subscription to AutoCAD software, you can install it on up to three computers or other devices. However, only the named user can sign in and use that software on a single computer at any given time. Please refer to the Software Licence Agreement (US site) for more information.

How do I convert my AutoCAD free trial to a paid subscription?

Launch your trial software and click Subscribe Now on the trial screen or buy AutoCAD here. When buying your subscription, enter the same email address and password combination you used to sign in to your trial. Learn more about converting a trial to a paid subscription.

How much does a subscription to AutoCAD cost?

The price of the AutoCAD subscription is  monthly, annually or for three years. If some of your users only occasionally use AutoCAD, consider buying tokens to access it for 24 hours at a time. Visit www.autodesk.co.uk/flex to learn more.

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