Free Online DWG Viewer (No Signup)
Works in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge — no plugin required
What Is a DWG File?
DWG (short for “drawing”) is the native binary file format used by AutoCAD and other CAD software. It stores 2D and 3D design data including geometry, layers, dimensions, text, and metadata. DWG™ has been the industry standard for architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) drawings since the 1980s.
If you’ve received a .dwg file from an architect, engineer, or contractor, you can open it instantly with this free viewer — no AutoCAD license required. See our Circadian Sky product drawings for an example.
How to View a DWG File Online
- 1
Open your file
Click "Open a DWG File" above, or drag and drop your .dwg file onto the viewer.
- 2
Explore the drawing
The drawing loads instantly. Pan with click-drag, zoom with scroll wheel, and measure with the M key.
- 3
Toggle layers & print
Show or hide layers from the side panel, switch between mm and inches, or print directly from your browser (Ctrl+P).
Features
Open Instantly
Drag and drop a DWG file — it renders in seconds, right in your browser.
2D & 3D Views
View 2D floor plans and switch to interactive 3D for files with solid geometry.
Measure Distances
Click two points to see the exact distance in mm or inches with snap-to-point.
Share & Collaborate
Upload your drawing and share a link. Recipients see your exact view, layers, and measurements.
Markup & Comments
Draw rectangles on the drawing and add comments. Collaborators see all markup in real time.
Toggle Layers
Show or hide layers to isolate specific parts of your drawing.
Print & Export PDF
Print the current view or export a vector PDF from the toolbar.
Metric & Imperial
Switch between millimeters and inches with one click.
Embed on Any Site
Add the viewer to your website with a single iframe embed code.
Embed on Your Website
Add this DWG viewer to your own site with a single line of HTML. Click Embed in the toolbar above to generate an embed code for any DWG file URL. You can choose whether to show or hide the toolbar for your visitors.
Supported File Formats
Most CAD software can export drawings as DWG R2000 via “Save As”.
Your Files Stay on Your Computer
Your drawing file never leaves your computer. We may use standard site analytics, but we never upload, store, or share your DWG files.
If Your DWG File Doesn’t Load
This viewer has full support for DWG R2000 (AC1015) files. If your file doesn’t open or looks incomplete, try these steps:
- 1Re-save as DWG R2000 — In your CAD software, use “Save As” and select “AutoCAD 2000 Drawing (*.dwg)” as the format. This is the most widely compatible DWG version.
- 2Check the file extension — Make sure your file is actually a
.dwg, not a.dxf,.dwf, or.pdf. - 3Try on a desktop browser — Files over 50 MB may be slow on mobile devices. Chrome or Firefox on a desktop typically gives the best performance.
Want to test with a known-good file? Try our sample Circadian Sky drawing. Need to convert your drawing to PDF instead? Use our free DWG to PDF converter.
Frequently Asked Questions
▶What DWG versions are supported?
This viewer supports DWG files from R2000 (AC1015) through R2018 (AC1032), including R2004, R2007, R2010, and R2013. It handles 2D entities (lines, arcs, circles, polylines, text, dimensions, inserts) and 3D solids (ACIS/SAB geometry with interactive 3D viewing). See our DWG format deep dive for the full list of supported entity types.
▶Is this DWG viewer really free?
Yes, completely free with no signup, no watermarks, and no file size limits. Built by Innerscene as a tool for architects and designers.
▶Are my DWG files uploaded to a server?
Not by default. All parsing and rendering happens locally in your browser. Your files stay on your device unless you choose to share them. When you click Share, you can optionally upload the file to Innerscene’s servers to create a shareable link. Uploaded files are hosted for 90 days and then automatically deleted.
▶Can I measure distances in my DWG file?
Yes. Click the Measure button in the toolbar or press M on your keyboard, then click two points to see the distance. Supports both metric (millimeters) and imperial (inches) units.
▶Does this DWG viewer work on Mac or iPad?
Yes. The viewer runs entirely in your web browser, so it works on macOS (Safari, Chrome, Firefox), iPad, and any device with a modern browser. No software download needed. Learn more about DWG viewing on Mac.
▶Do I need AutoCAD to open a DWG file?
No. AutoCAD is not required. This free online viewer lets you open, inspect, measure, and print DWG drawings directly in your browser without any Autodesk software.
▶What is a DWG file?
DWG (short for “drawing”) is the native binary file format used by AutoCAD and other CAD software. It stores 2D and 3D design data including geometry, layers, dimensions, text, and metadata.
DWG is the industry standard for architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) drawings. The format has been in use since the 1980s and is supported by hundreds of CAD applications. Learn more about the DWG file format.
▶Why won't my DWG file open?
Common reasons a DWG file may not open:
- Unsupported version — This viewer supports DWG R2000 through R2018. Very old files (R14 and earlier) or files using proprietary entity types may not render fully.
- Corrupted file — The file may have been damaged during download or transfer. Try re-downloading it.
- Very large file — Files over 50 MB may be slow to parse in the browser. Try on a desktop with more RAM.
- Not a DWG file — Make sure the file extension is actually
.dwg, not.dxf,.dwf, or.pdf.
▶What's the difference between DWG and DXF?
DWG is AutoCAD’s native binary format — compact and full-featured. DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) is an open text-based format designed for interoperability between CAD programs. Both contain similar data, but DWG files are smaller and load faster. Our viewer currently supports DWG. DXF support is planned.
▶Can I print or export my DWG drawing?
Yes. Use your browser’s built-in Print function (Ctrl+P or Cmd+P) to print the current view or save it as a PDF. The print output matches what you see on screen, including layer visibility and zoom level.
▶Does this viewer work on iPhone?
Yes. Open the viewer in Safari or Chrome on your iPhone. Use pinch to zoom and two-finger drag to pan. For best results with large files, use an iPad or desktop browser. Learn more about DWG viewing on iPhone and iPad.
▶How do I share a DWG drawing with someone?
Click the Share button in the toolbar. If the file was loaded from your computer, you’ll be prompted to upload it (max 25 MB). Your current view — including pan, zoom, layer visibility, and measurements — is saved with the link. Recipients see exactly what you see. Shared files are hosted for 90 days.
▶Can I add comments and markup to a shared drawing?
Yes. After sharing, click the Markup button, then drag a rectangle on the drawing to highlight an area. Add your name and comment. Everyone with the share link can see all comments, and the owner can enable or disable comments when creating the share.
▶Does this viewer support 3D DWG files?
Yes. Files containing 3D solid geometry (3DSOLID entities with ACIS/SAB data) show a 3D button in the toolbar. Click it to switch to an interactive 3D view with orbit controls, lighting, and per-face coloring. The viewer also renders spheres and other parametric surfaces.
▶What is Innerscene?
Innerscene makes premium artificial skylights — Virtual Sun and Circadian Sky — that bring realistic daylight to windowless spaces. We built this free DWG viewer to help architects and designers working with our product drawings.
DWG is a trademark of Autodesk, Inc. Innerscene is not affiliated with Autodesk.