The AutoCAD free trial lasts 15 days and gives you the full software, including the specialised toolsets that come with a subscription. When the 15 days are up, the trial expires on its own and Autodesk says it can't be renewed or extended. It's also licensed for evaluation only, so you're not allowed to use it for paid client work.
That last point matters more than people expect. If you're a freelancer or a small practice hoping to squeeze one urgent job out of a free trial, Autodesk's terms say no. Here's how the trial works, what it costs afterwards and the cheaper routes if 15 days isn't enough.
AutoCAD trial facts
| Question | Autodesk's answer |
|---|---|
| Length | 15 days (AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT) |
| Other Autodesk trials | Typically 30 days, for example Fusion |
| Can you extend it? | No. Trial software can't be renewed or extended |
| Commercial use | Not allowed. Trials are for evaluation only, not profit or production |
| What happens at the end | The trial expires automatically |
| Price if you subscribe | $2,095 a year or $260 a month, as of October 2026 |
Autodesk's buy page also says an annual or multi-year subscription comes with a 30-day return policy, and a monthly subscription comes with a 15-day return policy. So once you're paying, you still have a short window to change your mind.
The evaluation-only rule
Autodesk's support article on trial terms is blunt: trial versions are fully licensed for 15 to 30 days and are designed solely for evaluation purposes, and they're not to be used for profit, production or commercial use. If you use the trial to finish a client drawing and invoice for it, you're outside the licence. For a business, that's a risk not worth taking over one job.
How to start the AutoCAD trial
- Go to Autodesk's free trials page and choose AutoCAD.
- Select Download free trial and answer the short questions about how you'll use it.
- Sign in with an Autodesk account or create one.
- Install the software and sign in. The trial screen shows how many days you have left.
Use an email address you'll keep. Autodesk's FAQ says that when you buy, you should enter the same email address and password combination you used to sign in to your trial.
How to cancel the trial
Autodesk's FAQ says the trial software shows the days left and expires automatically at the end of the trial period, so there's nothing to cancel if you simply stop. Once your days run out, the software stops working until you subscribe, so finish your evaluation with a day to spare.
What to do when 15 days isn't enough
Buy one month and switch off auto-renew
If you need AutoCAD for a single project, a monthly subscription with auto-renew turned off is the cleanest legal route. Remember the 15-day return policy on monthly plans if it turns out you don't need it.
AutoCAD LT for 2D only
AutoCAD LT has the same 15-day trial and is aimed at 2D drafting, drawing and documentation. If you never touch 3D, trial LT as well and compare.
Free education access
Autodesk offers free education access to eligible students. Its education page says users must be post-secondary students aged 18 or older. It's for learning, not client work, so it doesn't solve the business problem, but it's the right answer for anyone studying.
Free CAD tools
If the trial is really about avoiding cost, look at free CAD software and the main AutoCAD alternatives before you start the clock.
Getting the most from 15 days
- Install on the computer you'll use, then open your real drawings on day one.
- Test the toolset you'd pay for: Autodesk says the seven specialised toolsets are included with every AutoCAD subscription, so try the ones that match your trade.
- Check file exchange with clients and contractors early. That's usually where problems show up.
- Write down what you'd need LT for versus full AutoCAD, so you buy the right one.
Turning the trial into a subscription
If you decide to keep AutoCAD, Autodesk's FAQ says to launch the trial software and click Subscribe Now on the trial screen, or buy from the AutoCAD page. Sign in with the same email address and password combination you used for the trial so the purchase lands on the right account.
Once you're a subscriber, stopping is a two-step idea. Autodesk's account help says you can turn off auto-renew or choose to cancel at renewal. When a subscription isn't renewed, it moves through three stages in order: Expired, then Suspended, then Canceled. You can still renew during the first two, and you can turn auto-renew back on at any point before the process ends. That's useful if a project gets extended and you change your mind late.
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AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT: which trial first?
Autodesk describes AutoCAD as 2D and 3D CAD software whose subscription includes AutoCAD, specialised toolsets and apps, and AutoCAD LT as cost-effective 2D CAD for drafting, drawing and documentation. Both trials last 15 days. If most of your work is floor plans, layouts or technical drawings with no 3D, start with LT. If you need 3D or one of the industry toolsets, go straight to full AutoCAD so you don't spend half your trial on the wrong product.
Mechanical engineers should also look at the SolidWorks free trial.
My advice
Treat the AutoCAD trial as a 15-day test drive, not free software. Plan your evaluation before you download it, test with real files and don't use it for paid work. If the answer at the end is yes, buy monthly first unless you're sure, and use the return window if the project falls through. If the answer is no, you've lost nothing but a couple of weeks of evenings.
Prefer a lighter modelling tool? See the SketchUp free trial.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the AutoCAD free trial?
15 days. Autodesk lists the same 15-day trial for AutoCAD LT; many other Autodesk products have 30-day trials.
Can I extend the AutoCAD trial?
No. Autodesk says trial software can't be renewed or extended.
Can I use the AutoCAD trial for client work?
No. Autodesk's trial terms say trials are for evaluation only and aren't to be used for profit, production or commercial use.
How much does AutoCAD cost after the trial?
Autodesk's buy page shows $2,095 a year or $260 a month for AutoCAD, as of October 2026.
Do I need to cancel the AutoCAD trial?
No. Autodesk says the trial expires automatically at the end of the trial period.
