Autodesk AutoCAD: Trusted by millions, built to accelerate your creativity

2D and 3D CAD drafting software

What is Autodesk AutoCAD?

Power your teams’ creativity with the automation, collaboration and machine-learning features of AutoCAD® software. Architects, engineers and construction professionals use AutoCAD to:

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

  • Automate tasks such as comparing drawings, replacing blocks, counting objects, creating schedules and more

  • Create a customised workspace to maximise productivity with add-on apps and APIs

Why use AutoCAD?

Accelerate your designs in 2D or 3D

Complete your projects faster with AutoCAD’s automations and customisations.

Collaborate across teams and devices

Share and annotate drawings safely and securely across desktop, web or mobile devices.

Ensure fidelity and compatibility

Only Autodesk has TrustedDWG® technology to ensure fidelity and compatibility for your DWGs.

Power your productivity with seven included toolsets

Across seven studies, customers increased productivity by 63% on average for tasks completed using a specialised toolset in AutoCAD.*

*View source data
*Hide source data

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 more efficient workflows

The newest update in Autodesk AutoCAD increases collaboration and provides insights and automation designed to accelerate your work.

Work anywhere with AutoCAD on the web and on mobile

Enjoy a connected design experience with Autodesk AutoCAD across devices. Create, view, edit and annotate drawings with AutoCAD on mobile or on any computer using AutoCAD on the web.

Customise your workspace and extend AutoCAD

Complete your work more quickly. Gain access to thousands of parts and additional features with industry-specific toolsets, APIs to automate common processes and 1,000+ third-party apps.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is AutoCAD used for?

AutoCAD is computer-aided design (CAD) software that is used for precise 3D and 2D drafting, CAD design, and modeling 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).

How do I download AutoCAD?

Autodesk provides download and install instructions for individuals and administrators. Your available downloads appear in Autodesk Account. Find your product, select a version, platform, language and download method. For more information, visit the Autodesk Knowledge Network.

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 an AutoCAD subscription cost in India?

The price of the AutoCAD subscription is monthly, annually or for three years.

See more

Support and problem solving (US Site)

Find troubleshooting articles and resolve your issue.

When great minds have great tools they can accomplish great things.

Subscribe and save on industry-leading CAD and BIM tools 

The AEC Collection provides designers, engineers and contractors with a set of BIM and CAD tools supported by a cloud-based common data environment that facilitates project delivery from early-stage design through to construction.

What you can do with the collection

Workflows from design to construction

Integrated workflows from design to construction in the AEC Collection (video: 3:42 min.)

CAD and BIM tools

Use a combination of AutoCAD and Revit to deliver accurate documentation for any project (video: 1:21 min.). 

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Terms and conditions

*Autodesk online store promotion:

This promotion offers 15% off on the purchase of a new 1-year and 3-year subscription of AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT and Revit LT Suite from 25th to 30th May 2023, for customers purchasing qualifying subscriptions from the Autodesk online store and authorized resellers. Advertised discounts and savings are based on the Autodesk Suggested Retail Price (excluding taxes) for specified products in your region. Please note that product lists may be limited in certain countries.

Autodesk’s Suggested Retail Price (excluding taxes) is used for reference purposes only and may not be in your local currency. Actual retail price is determined by your reseller and is subject to currency fluctuation. The operator of the online store and resellers are independent and free to set their own prices. Additional restrictions may apply to the purchase volume.

Commercial and Government customers may participate. Educational (including education-to-commercial transfers) are not eligible for this promotion. The promotion is not combinable with any other special pricing or offer, unless otherwise stated. Major Account discounts may not be combined with this promotion. This promotion is not valid for product licenses purchased through the Autodesk Employee Purchase Program.

Autodesk can only honor one promotion at a time. To redeem your promotion, add the product to your cart. The discount will automatically appear in your cart.

AUTODESK RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CANCEL, SUSPEND OR MODIFY PART OR THIS ENTIRE PROMOTION AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE, FOR ANY REASON IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION. PRICES FOR AUTODESK SOFTWARE ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND MAY VARY BY COUNTRY.

Autodesk, the Autodesk logo, AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT and Revit LT Suite are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

© 2023 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.