Shapefile to DWG (AutoCAD) converter
Upload your Shapefile file and get DWG, which opens in AutoCAD in a couple of minutes: osm2cdr reads the geometry of your file and hands you a ready DWG straight away. Processing runs on our servers, the result is ready to download as soon as it finishes, and files up to 50 MB are supported. And if you have no file of your own, or need a fresh map of an area, osm2cdr builds DWG straight from the OpenStreetMap map: you simply pick an area on the map, choose the DWG format and download the result with up-to-date OSM data — with layers for buildings, roads, water and features.
How Shapefile differs from DWG
| Format | Extension | Type | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shapefile | .shp | GIS | ArcGIS, QGIS, spatial analysis, cartography |
| DWG | .dwg | CAD | Architectural design, master plans, construction documentation, land surveying |
How to get DWG on osm2cdr
- 1Select an area on the map on the osm2cdr home page
- 2Choose the DWG format and, if needed, a style and CRS
- 3Click Export and download the ready DWG file
DWG format properties
| Extension | .dwg |
| Type | CAD |
| Purpose | Architectural design, master plans, construction documentation, land surveying |
When you need DWG
The main scenario is simple: you already have a Shapefile file — upload it and osm2cdr returns DWG, ready to use in a dedicated program (editing, printing, analysis, embedding in a project). The alternative is for when you have no file at hand or need a fresh map of an area: the same DWG is then built straight from up-to-date OpenStreetMap data for your chosen area, split into layers for buildings, roads, water and features.
What changes when going Shapefile → DWG
Drop in a Shapefile file and osm2cdr reads its geometry and returns DWG; and with no file of your own, the same DWG is built straight from the OpenStreetMap map for your chosen area. Either way the data model changes. Going Shapefile → DWG, GIS attribute tables are not carried into the drawing: geometry is laid out across named layers (buildings, roads, water) while coordinate accuracy is preserved. The result targets CAD work, not attribute analysis. osm2cdr builds DWG straight from OpenStreetMap data, so an intermediate Shapefile file is not needed.
Upload your own Shapefile file → DWG
No need to hunt for a third-party converter anymore: drop your Shapefile file in the form above and osm2cdr will read the geometry and hand you a ready DWG. Files up to 50 MB are supported; processing runs on our servers and the result is ready to download as soon as it finishes.
FAQ: Shapefile → DWG
Can I upload my Shapefile file?
Yes, now you can: upload your Shapefile file right on this page and osm2cdr will read the geometry and convert it to DWG. Files up to 50 MB are supported. If the data comes from OpenStreetMap, you can skip the upload entirely — we'll export the map straight into DWG.
Is it free?
Yes, exporting an OpenStreetMap map to DWG on osm2cdr is free. Select an area, the DWG format and download the result.
Which programs open DWG?
The DWG format opens in dedicated programs for its category. See the DWG format page for the full list and details.
Why is this better than an online Shapefile → DWG converter?
An online converter caps the result quality at the quality of the source Shapefile file. osm2cdr takes data from the OpenStreetMap source and builds DWG with correct layers directly — with no loss on an intermediate Shapefile file.