Free DWG to DXF converter
Convert DWG to DXF, right in your browser.
Drop a DWG and get a DXF back in seconds. Caddis writes R12 DXF, the version almost every CAD, CAM, CNC and laser-cutting program can read, and your drawing never leaves your computer.
Why convert DWG to DXF?
DXF is the exchange format for tools that can't read AutoCAD's native DWG: laser and plasma cutters, CNC and CAM software, vinyl cutters, and older or non-Autodesk CAD packages. If a fabricator asks for "a DXF", R12 is the safest version to send.
How to convert DWG to DXF
- Choose your DWG (or DXF) file above, or drag it onto the box.
- Check that DXF (R12) is selected. You can switch to any other output.
- Select Convert. The file downloads straight away. Nothing is uploaded.
Good to know
- Layers keep their names (shortened to R12's 31-character limit) and colours map to the nearest AutoCAD Color Index.
- Connected linework becomes polylines, which most CAM tools prefer to loose lines.
- Vertical 3D edges that collapse to a point in plan are left out, so they don't turn into stray pierce points on a cutter.
What converts, and what doesn't
- Geometry converts as it is drawn: arcs, circles and splines become runs of short straight segments, and blocks and dimensions are exploded into plain lines.
- Text becomes simple single-stroke lettering, so it reads correctly but is no longer editable text. Non-Latin characters may appear as character codes.
- Solid fills are kept. Hatch patterns may be missing.
- Only model space is converted. Paper-space layouts and viewports are not included.
- DWG files from Release 14 through the current AutoCAD 2018 format are supported. 2007-format (AC1021) files are only partially supported: some entities and colours may be missing.
Frequently asked questions
Why R12 and not a newer DXF version?
R12 (AC1009) is the version the widest range of software reads, including most laser, plasma, waterjet and CAM tools. Newer DXF versions add features those tools ignore or reject.
Will the DXF be editable in AutoCAD?
Yes. It opens in AutoCAD, BricsCAD, LibreCAD, QCAD, Fusion and others as ordinary lines, polylines and solids on the original layers. Blocks, dimensions and text arrive exploded, so edit them as geometry.
Which DWG versions can be converted?
DWG files saved by AutoCAD Release 14 through the current AutoCAD 2018 format (used by AutoCAD 2018 and later). 2007-format files (AutoCAD 2007–2009) are only partially supported, so some content may be missing. Use the free DWG version checker if you're not sure which version you have.
Is my file uploaded?
No. The file is read and converted by the Caddis engine running inside your browser tab. It is never sent to a server, so confidential drawings stay on your device.
Need to measure or mark up the drawing too?
The same engine powers the free Caddis viewer on the web and on iPhone. Open DWG, DXF, STEP and STL files, measure, and add markup, all on your device.
More free CAD tools
Universal CAD converterDWG version checkerDWG to PDFDWG to SVGDWG to PNGDXF to PDFDXF to SVGDXF to PNGDXF to R12 DXFSTEP to STLSTEP to OBJSTEP to GLBSTL to OBJOBJ to STLSTL to GLBPLY to STLIFC to OBJIFC to GLBSLDPRT to STL