Quick answer
AutoCAD: File → Plot → choose 'DWG to PDF.pc3' as the printer → set paper size → OK. Done. For users without AutoCAD, free alternatives include LibreCAD, FreeCAD's import, or online conversion tools. The browser-based FormatDrop converter handles common DWG variants without needing a CAD installation.
Method 1: Convert DWG to PDF online (free, in your browser)
- 1
Open the FormatDrop document converter
Open formatdrop.com/document-converter in your browser. The converter handles DWG and DXF files, parsing the CAD geometry and rendering to PDF locally.
Go to converter - 2
Upload your DWG file
Drag your .dwg file. The converter detects the AutoCAD version (R12 through latest 2026 format) and parses entities, layers, and dimensions.
- 3
Choose PDF options
Paper size: ANSI A-D, ARCH A-E, ISO A4-A0, or custom. Orientation: portrait or landscape. Color: full color, monochrome (black on white — common for blueprints), or grayscale. Scale: fit to page or specific (1:50, 1:100, etc.).
- 4
Download the PDF
The output PDF preserves layers (toggleable in Acrobat), line weights, dimensions, and text annotations. Vector-based — scales infinitely without quality loss. Drop into your email, plan-check submittal, or contractor RFI.
Method 2: Convert DWG to PDF in AutoCAD (the official path)
If you have AutoCAD, this is the canonical export workflow.
- Open the DWG in AutoCAD.
- File → Plot (or Ctrl+P).
- Printer/Plotter: choose 'DWG To PDF.pc3' (built-in virtual printer).
- Paper Size: choose your target (Architectural D, ANSI E, ISO A1, etc.).
- Plot Area: Window → click two corners of the area to print, or 'Extents' for everything.
- Plot Scale: 'Fit to paper' for previews, or specific scale (1:100, 1/4"=1') for accurate prints.
- Plot Style Table: 'monochrome.ctb' for black-and-white, 'acad.ctb' for full color.
- Click OK → save as .pdf.
- For batch (multiple sheets/layouts): use PUBLISH command instead — selects multiple layouts, exports as a single multi-page PDF.
Note: AutoCAD's built-in DWG-to-PDF is the highest fidelity option. The PUBLISH command is essential for multi-sheet drawing sets. Sheet sets (DST files) automate this for entire projects.
Method 3: Convert with Autodesk DWG TrueView (free)
Autodesk's free DWG TrueView can open and export DWG to PDF without a paid AutoCAD license.
- Download DWG TrueView from autodesk.com/viewers (free).
- Open your .dwg → File → Plot.
- Same workflow as AutoCAD — printer 'DWG To PDF.pc3', paper size, scale, etc.
- Click OK → save as .pdf.
- Limitations: no edit features, but read+plot is fully supported.
Note: DWG TrueView is the best free official option from Autodesk. Identical PDF output quality to full AutoCAD.
Method 4: Convert DWG to PDF in LibreCAD or FreeCAD
Open-source CAD applications can open DWG (with the LibreDWG library) and export to PDF.
- Install LibreCAD (libcad.org) or FreeCAD (freecad.org). Both free.
- LibreCAD doesn't read DWG natively — convert DWG to DXF first using ODA File Converter (free from opendesign.com), then open DXF in LibreCAD.
- FreeCAD has the Draft workbench which imports DWG via internal converter.
- File → Export → PDF. Set paper size and scale.
- Save the PDF.
Note: Open-source path is more involved but completely free. LibreCAD is lighter; FreeCAD is more feature-complete. For one-off conversions, ODA File Converter alone produces clean DXF that's easier to handle.
Method 5: Use ODA File Converter (free, version conversion + plot)
Open Design Alliance provides a free DWG/DXF converter that can also export to PDF.
- Download from opendesign.com/guestfiles/oda_file_converter (free, requires email signup).
- Source folder: set to your DWG location.
- Destination folder: where the PDFs will go.
- Output format: PDF (also supports DWG ↔ DXF conversion between AutoCAD versions).
- Click Start. ODA processes all DWGs in the source folder, producing PDFs.
Note: ODA's converter is excellent for batch operations and version downgrades (e.g., AutoCAD 2026 → AutoCAD 2010 format).
Method 6: Online DWG to PDF converters
Browser-based options when you don't want to install anything.
- Local conversion: formatdrop.com/document-converter — runs in your browser, no upload.
- Server-based: cloudconvert.com/dwg-to-pdf, convertio.co/dwg-pdf, zamzar.com — upload, convert, download.
- For drawings with sensitive proprietary content (engineering IP, building security plans), prefer the local browser tool.
- For standard architectural or shop drawings, server-based tools are fine and often handle more DWG variants.
Note: Server-based converters typically handle more DWG version variants but at the cost of uploading your IP. For production engineering work, use AutoCAD or DWG TrueView.
When you need to convert DWG to PDF
- 1
Submitting permit drawings to municipal offices
Most permit offices accept PDF only. Plot your DWG to PDF (typically monochrome at 1:50 or 1:100 scale) for plan-check submittals.
- 2
Sending shop drawings to fabricators
Steel fabricators, millwork shops, glazing contractors — they all want PDF for shop drawings. PDF preserves dimensions and notes that fabricators rely on.
- 3
Sharing drawings with clients without AutoCAD
Clients usually don't have AutoCAD. PDF lets them review, redline, and approve drawings in any PDF reader.
- 4
Archiving completed projects
PDF/A is an ISO archival standard. Convert finished DWG sets to PDF/A for long-term project archives that future contractors and owners can open without AutoCAD installed.
- 5
Sharing drawings on construction document platforms
Procore, Bluebeam Studio, PlanGrid — all expect PDF. DWG-to-PDF is the gateway to construction collaboration platforms.
Troubleshooting common DWG to PDF problems
PDF shows drawings at wrong scale
AutoCAD's Plot dialog has a Plot Scale section. Set explicitly to 1:50 or 1:100 (architectural) or 1/4"=1' (US imperial). 'Fit to paper' produces non-scaled output that's only useful for previews. For dimensional accuracy in print, always specify scale.
Line weights look wrong (too thick or all the same)
AutoCAD uses a Plot Style Table (.ctb file) to map color → line weight. Verify your Plot Style is set correctly: 'monochrome.ctb' for B&W with default weights, custom .ctb for project-specific weighting. Without a plot style, lines plot at default 0.25mm regardless of layer.
Text or dimensions are missing in the PDF
Likely a layer visibility issue. Open the DWG → check Layer Properties Manager (LA command) → ensure dimension and text layers are 'On' and 'Plottable' (the printer icon). Frozen or non-plottable layers don't appear in the PDF.
Multi-layout DWG only exports one sheet
Use PUBLISH command (PUBLISH at the AutoCAD command line) instead of Plot. Publish lets you select multiple layouts as separate sheets in a single multi-page PDF. PLOT only handles one layout at a time.
DWG TrueView won't open the file
Likely AutoCAD version mismatch. DWG TrueView typically supports the current and previous 2-3 versions. If your DWG is from a future version, convert with ODA File Converter first to a compatible format. If from a much older version (R14 or earlier), you may need a legacy AutoCAD version.
PDF file is huge (50+ MB for a simple drawing)
Common cause: raster images embedded in the DWG (logos, scanned aerials) export as large bitmaps. Solutions: (1) Lower image quality in Plot dialog → Plot Options → Plot With Plot Styles → Properties → Custom Properties → JPG quality 75. (2) Use AutoCAD's IMAGEFRAME = 0 to omit images entirely. (3) Run PDF through Acrobat's 'Reduce File Size' or `gs -dPDFSETTINGS=/screen` afterward.
Layers are not toggleable in the PDF
AutoCAD supports plotting with layers preserved as PDF layers. In Plot dialog → Plot Options → 'Include layer information' → check. The PDF will have toggleable layers in Acrobat's Layers panel. If unchecked, layers are flattened.
Why convert DWG to PDF?
DWG is what architects and engineers draft in; PDF is what everyone else reads. Converting between them is the deliverable step that closes every CAD task — submittals, RFIs, redlines, prints.
The canonical path is AutoCAD's built-in Plot dialog. For users without AutoCAD, the free DWG TrueView from Autodesk is the highest-fidelity option. ODA File Converter handles batch jobs. Open-source CAD (LibreCAD, FreeCAD) works for occasional conversion. Online and browser-based tools cover the rest.
The biggest gotcha is plot style and scale. Always specify a scale (not 'Fit to paper') for dimensional drawings, and use the right .ctb plot style for line weights. Get those right and the PDF is print-ready.
Your files never leave your device
FormatDrop runs the conversion engine entirely inside your browser using WebAssembly. No file upload. No server. Nothing stored. You can verify this by opening DevTools → Network tab and watching: zero upload requests.
Frequently asked questions
Best free way to convert DWG to PDF?
Can I convert DWG to PDF without AutoCAD?
Will the PDF preserve drawing scale?
Can I batch convert multiple DWGs to one PDF?
Will line weights and colors transfer?
Can the PDF be edited back to DWG?
Does converting strip CAD-specific data (xref, attributes)?
What's the difference between DWG and DXF for PDF conversion?
No account. No upload. Works in any browser.