Is AutoCAD free? Free trial, student version and paid licences

No, AutoCAD is not free for general or commercial use. You can try it without paying through a 30-day trial, and verified students and teachers get a free education licence. For any professional or commercial work you need a paid licence.

AutoCAD by Autodesk has been the standard for technical drawing for decades. It is CAD software, short for computer aided design, that lets you design in both 2D and 3D: building plans, floor layouts, wiring diagrams, machine parts and much more. Because the package is so powerful and widely used, plenty of people wonder whether a free version exists. Below we explain honestly what you can and cannot do, what AutoCAD costs directly from Autodesk, and how to get a genuine licence for far less.

What is AutoCAD?

AutoCAD first appeared in 1982 and grew into the best known CAD package in the world. Architects, engineers, contractors and drafters use it to produce precise technical drawings. You work with lines, arcs, layers and blocks at a scale that is accurate to the millimetre. In 2D you draw floor plans and detail drawings, in 3D you build models you can view and edit from any angle. The DWG file format is the shared language across many industries, so you exchange drawings with colleagues and clients without conversion trouble.

There is also AutoCAD LT, a lighter version that only supports 2D and costs less. The full AutoCAD adds 3D modelling and specialised toolsets on top, for mechanical, electrical and architectural work among others. Most professionals use that full version because they need both 2D and 3D.

When is AutoCAD free?

There is no free full version that you may use commercially without limits. Autodesk offers two legal ways to run AutoCAD without paying. The first is the 30-day trial, meant for testing the software. The second is the education licence for verified students and teachers. Both come with clear boundaries, which we cover below. Anything outside those boundaries, which means almost any paid or professional project, requires a normal licence.

The free 30-day trial

On the Autodesk site you download a trial that runs for thirty days. You get the full feature set, not a stripped down demo. You create an Autodesk account, choose your operating system and install the package. It is a good way to check whether AutoCAD fits your workflow before you buy anything. The limit is simple: after thirty days access stops and you need a licence to keep working. The trial is intended for evaluation, not for carrying out paid jobs. Reinstalling to extend the period does not work, because the trial is tied to your account.

Free for students and teachers?

Yes, but with conditions. Through Autodesk Education, enrolled students and teachers get a free education licence. You have to verify your academic status, for example with proof of enrolment. This licence is strictly for learning, practice and research, not for commercial work. Two things are worth knowing. The licence expires after a set period and has to be renewed while you study. On top of that, AutoCAD adds an education stamp to your files. If you share such a DWG or print it, a notice appears stating that it is an educational product. For real client work that is not an option.

When do you need a paid licence?

The moment you earn money with AutoCAD, you need a paid licence. That applies to freelancers, studios, construction firms and anyone producing drawings for clients or for their own business. Bought directly from Autodesk, AutoCAD is now subscription only, they no longer sell a standalone perpetual licence. That subscription costs roughly 2,600 euro per year. Keep paying year after year and the cost adds up quickly. For small businesses and freelancers that is a heavy fixed expense.

Feature	Free trial	Student licence	Paid licence
Cost	Free	Free	Paid
Duration	30 days	Expires, must renew	As long as the licence runs
Full features	Yes	Yes	Yes
Commercial use	No	No	Yes
Education stamp on files	No	Yes	No

The cheapest legal way to a paid licence

You do not have to pay that full Autodesk price. At Licono you buy a genuine, legally resold AutoCAD licence for a fraction of the amount. These are authentic licences, not counterfeits and not dubious keys. You receive an invoice with VAT and the licence arrives straight away by email, so you can start right away. For anyone who needs a valid licence without the yearly subscription bill, this is the most affordable legal route.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use the student version for my work?

No. The education licence is only for teaching and practice. Files carry an education stamp and commercial use is not allowed. As soon as you deliver paid work, you need a normal licence.

Does the free trial really expire after 30 days?

Yes. After thirty days the trial closes and AutoCAD stops working without a paid licence. You cannot extend it indefinitely by reinstalling.

Is a resold licence from Licono legal?

Yes. These are genuine, legally transferable licences. You get an invoice and the code by email. It is the same software as from Autodesk, only at a much lower price.

In short: AutoCAD is free to test and free for education, but not for work that earns you money. If you want to know exactly what the software costs and how the prices compare, read our overview of how much AutoCAD costs. That way you choose deliberately between trying, learning and a paid licence that suits your situation.