How to Convert DWG to DXF for Free
You have a DWG file, but the program you need only reads DXF. Maybe it is a laser cutter, a sign program or a free CAD app. Or maybe you just want to open it in a simple DXF viewer. Either way, you need to convert DWG to DXF.
This guide shows four ways to do it, from the most accurate to the quickest. All of them can be free. It also explains which DXF version to pick and how to fix the problems that come up most often.
Before you start: why you cannot just rename the file
A DWG file and a DXF file store data in different ways. DWG is a compact, closed binary format. DXF is an open format, usually plain text. If you change the extension from .dwg to .dxf, the inside stays the same. Every DXF program will reject it. You must convert it with software that reads DWG and writes DXF.
If you want the background on the two formats, read DXF vs DWG.
Method 1: Convert DWG to DXF in AutoCAD
If you have AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT, this is the most accurate method. AutoCAD wrote the file, so it converts it perfectly.
- Open the DWG file in AutoCAD.
- Click the application menu or File menu and choose Save As.
- In the Files of type list, pick a DXF option. You will see several, such as AutoCAD 2018 DXF, AutoCAD 2000 DXF and AutoCAD R12 DXF.
- Choose a folder and a file name, then click Save.
You can also type DXFOUT at the command line. It opens the same save dialog with DXF already selected.
Clean the drawing first
Before you save, it helps to tidy up. Type PURGE to remove unused layers, blocks and styles. Type AUDIT to fix small errors. If the drawing uses external references, bind them with the XREF manager so they become part of the file. These steps make the DXF smaller and more reliable.
Method 2: Use the free ODA File Converter
The Open Design Alliance makes a free tool called ODA File Converter. It runs on Windows, Mac and Linux. It converts DWG to DXF without AutoCAD, and it can convert a whole folder at once.
- Download ODA File Converter from the Open Design Alliance website and install it.
- Open it. Set the Input Folder to the folder that holds your DWG files.
- Set the Output Folder to where you want the DXF files.
- Under output version, pick a DXF version. ACAD2000 or ACAD2013 are good general choices. Pick ACAD12 for older cutting machines.
- Set the output file type to DXF.
- Tick Audit each file to fix small errors on the way.
- Click Start.
The converted files appear in the output folder. The tool keeps the original DWG files untouched.
Why ODA File Converter is a great free choice
- No AutoCAD needed.
- Works offline, so private drawings never leave your computer.
- Batch converts hundreds of files in one go.
- Lets you choose the exact DXF version.
Other free programs, such as FreeCAD, also use this converter behind the scenes to open DWG files.
Method 3: Use another CAD program
Many CAD programs can open DWG and save DXF. If you already own one, use it.
- BricsCAD: open the DWG and use Save As, then choose a DXF type.
- DraftSight, ZWCAD and similar programs: they work much like AutoCAD. Open, Save As, pick DXF.
- LibreCAD: it can open some DWG files, then save them as DXF. Support is limited, so complex drawings may not come through cleanly.
- Illustrator: it can open DWG and export DXF. This works for simple outlines, but it is not built for CAD accuracy.
Method 4: Use an online converter
Several websites convert DWG to DXF. You upload the DWG, pick DXF and download the result. They are quick and need no install.
There are two catches. First, your file is uploaded to someone else’s server. Do not use online converters for private, client or NDA drawings. Second, quality varies. Some sites flatten blocks, drop layers or pick an odd DXF version. Always check the result before you use it.
Which DXF version should you choose?
DXF has versions that match AutoCAD releases. The version affects which programs can read the file.
| DXF version | Best for |
|---|---|
| R12 | Old cutting machines, CNC software and very simple programs. Splines and some newer objects are simplified. |
| 2000 | A safe default. Opens in almost every program and keeps most features. |
| 2013 | Modern CAD software. Keeps newer object types. |
| 2018 | The newest. Use only if the receiver has recent software. |
When in doubt, choose 2000. If the file is for a laser or plasma cutter and it will not load, try R12. Our guide to what a DXF file is explains more about how versions work.
How to check your converted DXF
Never send a converted file without looking at it first. Open it in our free online DXF viewer. It runs in your browser and does not upload the file. Then check these things:
- Everything is there. Compare it with the original. Look for missing parts, text or hatches.
- The layers came through. Open the layers panel and check the names.
- The size is right. Use the measure tool on a known dimension.
- The units are right. The status bar shows the units if the file stores them.
Common problems after converting DWG to DXF
Parts of the drawing are missing
The DWG probably used external references, called xrefs. These live in other files. Bind them in AutoCAD before converting, or ask the sender for the bound drawing.
Some objects show as boxes or disappear
Add-on programs like Civil 3D create special objects. Other programs cannot draw them. In AutoCAD, use EXPORTTOAUTOCAD or explode those objects before saving the DXF.
The text looks different
AutoCAD SHX fonts may not exist on other systems. Viewers swap in a standard font. The words are still correct, just styled a little differently.
The file will not open in my cutting software
Save it again as R12 or 2000 DXF. Older machine software often cannot read newer versions. Also make sure it is ASCII, not binary. See DXF file not opening for more fixes.
The part is the wrong size
The drawing may be in inches and your software expects millimeters, or the other way around. Check the units setting in the original DWG and in your import settings.
Real world example: a floor plan for a laser cut model
Here is a common case. An architecture student has a DWG floor plan from a project and wants to laser cut a small model of the walls. The school laser only takes DXF.
First, the student opens the DWG in AutoCAD on a lab computer. They delete furniture, text, hatches and dimensions, leaving only the wall outlines. They run PURGE and AUDIT. Then they scale the plan down to model size, for example 1:100, and save it as AutoCAD 2000 DXF.
At home, they open the DXF in an online viewer to check it. They measure one wall and confirm it matches the scale. They turn off every layer except the walls to make sure nothing extra is left. Then they take the file to the laser. The cut runs first time.
The same steps work for signs, metal parts and furniture panels. Strip out what you will not cut, pick a safe DXF version and check the result.
Should you ask for a DXF instead?
Converting is easy, but asking is often easier. If someone sends you a DWG and you know you need a DXF, reply and ask for one. The designer has the original software and knows the drawing. They can clean it, bind references and pick the right version in a minute. That gives you a better file than any converter, with less risk of missing parts.
Tips for converting many files
- Use ODA File Converter for batches. It is faster than opening each file.
- Keep the originals. Put converted files in a separate folder.
- Name files clearly, for example part-name_R2000.dxf, so you know the version later.
- Spot check a few files from each batch in a viewer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I convert DWG to DXF without AutoCAD?
Yes. ODA File Converter is free and works offline on Windows, Mac and Linux.
Is converting DWG to DXF lossless?
For normal geometry, yes. Lines, arcs, circles, text and layers carry over exactly. Special add-on objects may need extra steps.
Can I convert DXF back to DWG?
Yes. Use AutoCAD Save As or ODA File Converter with DWG as the output type.
What DXF version do laser cutters need?
Most accept 2000 or newer. Older machines may need R12.
How do I open the DXF after converting?
Use our free DXF viewer or any program on our list of programs that open DXF files.
Check your converted file now
Once you have your DXF, open it in our free online DXF viewer. Measure a few sizes, check the layers and make sure nothing is missing before you send it on.