DWG file extension. How to open and convert files with DWG file suffix

Files with dwg extension are used for the original CAD format originally introduced in Autodesk AutoCAD. The latest version of DWG format is usuaually proprietary and can only be created in AutoCAD. Other CAD programs can usually import it but not create its proprietary form. Because of this, DWGs are often exported to DXF interchange format so that they can be seamlessly used in other CAD programs.

There is one other file type using
the DWG file extension!

.dwg - BravoDRAFT detailer data

Detailed description

Software that open dwg file

Add comment

DWG file extension - AutoCAD drawing

What is dwg file? How to open dwg files?

File type specification:

3d graphics, CAD-CAM-CAE file type

dwg file icon:

File extension dwg is best known for it's use in AutoCAD, a CAD software for Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac developed by Autodesk, Inc.

DWG file format was developed in the late 1970s by Mike Riddle and licensed to Autodesk in 1982 for their AutoCAD application. The DWG file format has been updated several times, with the last update in 2018 (DWG 2018 - AC1032). It is designed to store two or three-dimensional data with any other metadata and is one of the most widely used for CAD drawings (2D and 3D) and is licensed for many applications.

One thing to remember is that newer versions of AutoCAD can read older versions of DWG files and save projects in older versions of the DWG, but older versions can't read the new ones.

Because of this, some applications can read only some .dwg files but cannot open different DWG versions until they are updated or have a proper plugin installed. To bypass the difficulties when opening various .dwg files, try to export them to DXF interchange format in its default program and import it to the other program.

DWG MIME types:
application/acad
application/x-acad
application/autocad_dwg
image/x-dwg
application/dwg
application/x-dwg
application/x-autocad
image/vnd.dwg
drawing/dwg

Updated: February 4, 2025

The default software associated to open dwg file:

AutoCAD

Company or developer:
Autodesk, Inc.

A CAD designing software with the powerful, flexible features. It is a CAD development platform that provides tools to build custom AutoCAD-based software products for specific markets. The default file formats using by AutoCAD are: DWG and DXF.

DWG TrueView

Company or developer:
Autodesk, Inc.

DWG TrueView is DWG and DXF viewer with DWG TrueConvert software included. It is used the same viewing engine as AutoCAD.

AutoCAD for Mac

Company or developer:
Autodesk, Inc.

AutoCAD for Mac software—it’s AutoCAD, for the Mac, bringing robust 3D free-form design tools and powerful drafting capabilities to your platform of choice. It takes full advantage of the macOS platform, with an intuitive, graphical user interface that makes it easy to bring your ideas to life.

Convert DWG to PDF

Help how to open:

DWG format is mainly used in AutoCAD but is also widely supported by other CAD applications (Pro/Engineer, Solid Edge, SolidWorks, EasyDone) and can all open *.dwg files.

However, you may need a plug-in or update for newer versions of the DWG format if you are using some older CAD software and want to open the latest .dwg files.

If you have difficulties opening some older .dwg files, convert them to a .dxf file first. That should solve most problems.

How to convert:

AutoCAD can save DWG drawing to other formats. Save the DWG file to another file format via File|Save as.. or File|Export menus.

Other applications capable of working with .dwg files may be able to convert or export them as well.

Find conversions from dwg file:

Find converter to dwg file type:

File identification strings:

HEX code: 41 43
ASCII code: AC

List of software applications associated to the .dwg file extension

Recommended software programs are sorted by OS platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android etc.)
and possible program actions that can be done with the file: like open dwg file, edit dwg file, convert dwg file, view dwg file, play dwg file etc. (if exist software for corresponding action in File-Extensions.org's database).

Hint:
Click on the tab below to simply browse between the application actions, to quickly get a list of recommended software, which is able to perform the specified software action, such as opening, editing or converting dwg files.

Software that open dwg file - AutoCAD drawing

Programs supporting the exension dwg on the main platforms Windows, Mac, Linux or mobile. Click on the link to get more information about listed programs for open dwg file action.