If you're searching for LibreCAD rather than a generic 'free CAD software' term, you likely already know it's a 2D-only drafting tool and are checking if it's genuinely no-cost before committing time to learning it. It is: LibreCAD is entirely open source with no paid tier, subscription, or watermarking, unlike many 'free' CAD tools that gate real output behind a license. This page links the current installer for your platform and flags upfront that it handles 2D drafting only, not 3D modeling.
2D Only: Know This Before You Start a Project
LibreCAD is strictly a 2D drafting application, similar in scope to AutoCAD LT rather than full AutoCAD, so it has no 3D modeling tools at all. That focus is deliberate and keeps the interface simpler than general CAD suites for floor plans, mechanical drawings, and schematics.
Being open source under the GPL, every build across Windows, macOS, and Linux is functionally identical, there's no separate paid version with extra tools.
Who ends up using LibreCAD
Hobbyist makers drafting floor plans, students learning CAD fundamentals, and small workshops needing 2D technical drawings without an AutoCAD subscription all use LibreCAD.
- Hobbyist makers drafting floor plans or furniture layouts before building
- Students learning 2D CAD fundamentals without paying for AutoCAD
- Small workshops producing mechanical or schematic drawings on a budget
Before you install
A couple of things worth knowing about LibreCAD before you request the link: it covers Windows, macOS and Linux, so pick the right build for the machine you're setting up. And on pricing, LibreCAD is open source, so the installer is free with no trial timer, feature lock, or upsell screen to click past. It's developed and maintained by LibreCAD Team.
System requirements
- WindowsWindows 10 or 11 (64-bit); older 7/8.1 builds usually still run but no longer get official support
- macOSa recent macOS release — check the download page for the current minimum version, since Apple Silicon vs Intel builds sometimes differ
- Linuxmost current 64-bit distributions; look for a native .deb/.rpm/AppImage or a package in your distro's own repository
Heavier workloads (large files, high-res media, big projects) will naturally want more RAM and a faster CPU/GPU than the bare minimum.
Quick steps
- Download the installer for your OS, all three platforms get the same feature set
- Set your drawing units and default layers before starting a new file
- Import an existing DXF file to confirm compatibility if migrating from another CAD tool
LibreCAD: the honest trade-offs
- Completely free and open source with no watermarks or feature gating
- Identical feature set across Windows, macOS, and Linux builds
- DXF file support makes exchanging drawings with AutoCAD users workable
- No 3D modeling capability at all, strictly a 2D drafting tool
- Native DWG support is limited compared to full AutoCAD compatibility
The build linked here comes from the LibreCAD Team's official releases on their project site and GitHub, unmodified.
Other Developer Tools downloads people search for
Browse the full Developer Tools category →
Keeping LibreCAD up to date
Since LibreCAD is open source, most Linux distributions keep it current through their own package manager. On Windows/macOS, re-running the installer from the official site (or an updater built into the app, if it has one) gets you the latest release. Sticking to the developer's own distribution channel — which is what this page links to — means you're never stuck on an old build with unpatched bugs just because a mirror site stopped updating its copy.
Features, install steps, alternatives and more detail live on the main LibreCAD page.
Frequently asked questions
Does LibreCAD support 3D modeling?
No, LibreCAD is a 2D-only drafting tool; it has no 3D modeling capability by design.
Can LibreCAD open files created in AutoCAD?
Yes, it can open and save DXF files, which most AutoCAD workflows can export to and import from, though native DWG support is limited.
