DWG to DXF converter
Convert a binary DWG file to DXF — an open, text-based CAD format — with SmartCAD’s free online converter. The result opens in AutoCAD and virtually any other CAD program, and your file is processed locally.
How it works
Open your DWG
Drag a .dwg file onto the tool, or click Open file to browse.
Convert to DXF
The drawing is rewritten as a plain-text ASCII DXF file.
Download the DXF
Save the .dxf and open it in almost any CAD app. Nothing is uploaded.
DWG vs. DXF — what’s the difference?
Both describe a CAD drawing — the difference is in the format itself, not the content.
AutoCAD’s native format
A compact binary format that stores the full feature set of a drawing. It’s proprietary to Autodesk, so full support depends on the software you’re using.
The open interchange format
A text-based format Autodesk created specifically so other CAD programs could exchange drawings with AutoCAD. Files are larger, but compatibility is broader.
Common uses
- Software compatibility — open a drawing in CAD software that doesn’t fully support binary DWG.
- Sharing across CAD programs — exchange drawings with someone on a different or older CAD tool.
- CAM and CNC workflows — many laser, plasma and CNC programs expect DXF input.
- Transparent archiving — a human-readable, well-documented text format for long-term storage.
Formats
Want to view or edit instead of just convert?
Use the DWG Viewer or DWG Editor. For full CAD, SmartCAD starts at $395 — one-time.
Questions
What’s the difference between DWG and DXF?
DWG is AutoCAD’s native binary format — compact, but proprietary to Autodesk. DXF is an open, text-based format Autodesk created specifically so other programs could exchange drawings with AutoCAD, which makes it the more broadly compatible of the two.
Can I convert DWG to DXF without AutoCAD?
Yes. SmartCAD’s free online converter creates a DXF file from a DWG drawing directly in your browser, with no AutoCAD or other CAD software required.
Will the DXF open in AutoCAD?
Yes, and in virtually every other CAD program, since DXF was designed as a universal interchange format.
Does converting to DXF lose any data?
Standard CAD entities — lines, polylines, circles, arcs, text, layers and blocks — convert across cleanly, since DXF was designed to represent them. Very specialized or proprietary AutoCAD object types may not all carry over, which is true of any DWG-to-DXF conversion.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. The DWG file is converted locally in your browser; it is never uploaded, so confidential drawings stay private.
Is the converter free?
Yes — completely free, with no account, no watermark and no limit on conversions.