AutoCAD – Best-in-class
2D and 3D drafting and design,
trusted by millions
See why AutoCAD gives you best in class 2D and 3D drafting and design with unparalleled reliability.
Recent recognition for AutoCAD
Compare AutoCAD to BricsCAD® and Draftsight®
Choosing the right CAD software can help you work more efficiently to complete projects faster, collaborate with teammates simply, and reduce errors. See how AutoCAD compares to other CAD software.
What sets AutoCAD apart?
AutoCAD is best-in-class 2D and 3D drafting and design software, trusted by millions of users worldwide. No alternative CAD software has as many options to Improve your team's workflows. Here are six reasons to choose AutoCAD.
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1. Draft and design in 2D or 3D
AutoCAD Is loaded with design, automation, and machine-learning features to help power your team's creativity.
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2. Access to support
Your AutoCAD subscription Includes a range of free technical and learning support options.
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3. Best-in-class exchange with DWG
Autodesk has TrustedDWG® technology to ensure your DWGs are maintained to the highest standards for fidelity and compatibility.
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4. Productivity gains with Included toolsets
AutoCAD includes seven industry-specific toolsets with time-saving features and intelligent objects.
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5. Customize and automate AutoCAD
Develop your own apps or choose from thousands in the Autodesk App Store.
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6. Collaborate from anywhere
AutoCAD provides connected design experience on the web and mobile, and through extensive cloud storage partnerships.
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No CAD alternative comes close to AutoCAD. Learn more
Boost productivity by up to 63% with AutoCAD specialized toolsets
Across seven different studies, the average productivity gain was about 63% for tasks completed using a specialized toolset included in AutoCAD**.
Discover what people are saying about AutoCAD
" It is a program that I really like because since it is so well known, not only do you have many tutorials on the internet, but you can also share plans with any colleague."
— Carolina C. , Lighting designer (August, 2022)
Gartner Digital Markets reviews constitute the subjective opinions of individual end users based on their own experiences and do not represent the views of Gartner or its affiliates.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Find answers to frequently asked questions about CAD software.
Computer-aided design (CAD) is technology for design and technical documentation, which replaces manual drafting with an automated process. AutoCAD is the original CAD software used by millions around the world. It can be used to create precise 2D and 3D drawings and models, as well as electrical diagrams, construction drawings, and more.
With AutoCAD you can draft, annotate, and design 2D geometry and 3D models with solids, surfaces, and mesh objects.
AutoCAD is a popular CAD software used by engineers because it is the most reliable and includes industry specific toolsets helpful for designing motor components, engines, and complete devices. AutoCAD includes over 750,000 intelligent objects and parts with industry libraries for mechanical design, electrical design, MEP design, and more.
AutoCAD is a popular CAD software for architects because it is the most widely taught software in architecture school, and allows architects to automate more processes than any other software on the market. The Architecture toolset in AutoCAD provides a huge library of thousands of predefined building objects and features for architectural drawing, documentation, and schedules, and for automating drafting tasks.
AutoCAD is available on both Mac and Windows if you are on an AutoCAD subscription. AutoCAD for Mac has the most popular features of the Windows version but offers a look and feel that is familiar to Mac users and a feature set most appropriate for the OS X environment.
There are CAD clones who offer limited features and functionality; however, no AutoCAD alternative comes close. AutoCAD offers free trials and student software that enable customers to see why it is the best choice.
