---
title: "Free Online DXF and DWG Viewer | OpenSpindle"
description: "Open DXF and DWG drawings in your browser to check size and cut length before laser, waterjet, or plasma cutting. Free, and files stay on your computer."
canonical: https://openspindle.com/tools/dxf-viewer
---

# Free Online DXF Viewer

Open a DXF or DWG drawing to pan, zoom, and see its overall size and total cut length. STEP and STL files open here too.

DXF is the standard file format for 2D drawings sent to laser, waterjet, plasma, and router cutting. Drop a .dxf or .dwg file above and it opens in your browser with its overall size and total cut length, in millimeters or inches. The file is parsed on your computer and is not uploaded anywhere unless you choose to request a quote.

## What is a DXF file?

DXF stands for Drawing Exchange Format. Autodesk introduced it with AutoCAD in the early 1980s so drawings could move between programs, and it became the common language of 2D CAD. A DXF stores vector geometry: lines, arcs, circles, polylines, splines, and text, organized in layers.

Cutting software turns that geometry into toolpaths, which is why laser, waterjet, and plasma shops ask for a DXF of the flat part. A DXF can also declare its units in a header setting called $INSUNITS. When that setting is missing, software has to guess, which is a common source of parts cut at the wrong scale.

## How to open a DXF file

- **In your browser:** drop the file into the viewer above. It shows the overall size and cut length, and the file stays on your computer.
- **Free desktop software:** LibreCAD (free and open source) opens and edits DXF files on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
- **Vector design software:** Inkscape imports DXF files for editing.
- **CAD software:** AutoCAD, DraftSight, Fusion, and SolidWorks all open DXF files.

## DXF vs DWG vs SVG

| Format | What it is | Opened by | For cutting |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| DXF (.dxf) | Published exchange format for 2D drawings | Most CAD and CAM programs | The standard choice |
| DWG (.dwg) | AutoCAD's native drawing format | AutoCAD and compatible software | Often accepted, DXF is safer |
| SVG (.svg) | Web vector graphics format | Browsers and design software | Works for some shops, scale can be unreliable |

*This viewer converts DWG files to DXF in your browser. If a DWG does not open, save it as DXF from your CAD program.*

## How to prepare a DXF for laser or waterjet cutting

- Draw at full size (1:1) and set the drawing units.
- Close every cut contour, so outlines have no gaps.
- Remove dimensions, title blocks, borders, and notes from the geometry you want cut, or put them on a separate layer.
- Delete duplicate and overlapping lines. A machine may cut every line it is given, so a doubled line can get cut twice.
- Convert text you want engraved or cut to outlines.

See the [sheet metal gauge chart](/reference/sheet-metal-gauge-chart) for material thickness.

## What cut length tells you

For a given material and thickness, laser, waterjet, and plasma cutting time depends mainly on total cut length and the number of pierces, so cut length is a quick way to compare parts. The viewer adds up the lines, arcs, circles, polylines, and splines in the drawing, open or closed. Text and dimension objects are not counted.

Extra geometry still counts. Borders, title block lines, construction lines, and overlapping lines all add to the total. If the cut length looks too high, clean the file using the steps above and check it again.

## Capabilities that use DXF files

Send a DXF of the flat part to get quotes for any of these processes.

- [Laser Cutting](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/laser-cutting.md)
- [Fiber Laser Cutting](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/fiber-laser-cutting.md)
- [CO2 Laser Cutting](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/co2-laser-cutting.md)
- [Waterjet Cutting](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/waterjet-cutting.md)
- [Plasma Cutting](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/plasma-cutting.md)
- [CNC Routing](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/cnc-routing.md)
- [Sheet Metal Fabrication](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/sheet-metal-fabrication.md)
- [Metal Stamping](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/metal-stamping.md)

## More free tools and charts

- [Free STEP file viewer](https://openspindle.com/tools/step-viewer.md): Rotate and measure 3D CAD parts in your browser.
- [Free STL file viewer](https://openspindle.com/tools/stl-viewer.md): Check 3D printing files before you print or quote.
- [Sheet metal gauge chart](https://openspindle.com/reference/sheet-metal-gauge-chart.md): Gauge to thickness for steel, stainless, and aluminum.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is this DXF viewer free?

Yes. There is no account, no install, and no limit on how many files you open. Files up to 25 MB are supported.

### Is my DXF file uploaded?

No. The file is read and displayed by your browser on your computer. It is only uploaded if you click Get a quote and then submit the request.

### Can I open DWG files?

Yes. DWG files are converted to DXF in your browser and then displayed. If yours does not open, save it as DXF from your CAD program.

### What units does the viewer use?

It reads the drawing's declared units ($INSUNITS) when they are set. When they are missing or unrecognized, it assumes millimeters and marks the size and cut length as approximate. You can switch the display between millimeters and inches.

### Why is the cut length higher than I expected?

The viewer counts the lines, arcs, circles, polylines, and splines in the file, including borders, construction lines, and overlapping lines. Text and dimension objects are not counted. Remove anything that should not be cut and check again.

### Can a DXF hold a 3D part?

DXF can store some 3D entities, but shops use it for flat 2D profiles. For 3D parts, send a STEP file instead.