CAD blocks are objects that commonly occur in drawings or 3D models. It’s common practice to use CAD blocks for objects like appliances, doors and windows, electrical fixtures, furniture, and other equipment. This saves the designers a lot of time because they don’t have to draw each chair in a restaurant or every outlet in an apartment complex. They also help maintain consistency within a project. Finally, they reduce the size of project files because every CAD block isn’t duplicated but instanced to every location on the plan. In short, they’re huge time and money savers.
In order to streamline the search process, many websites have turned into catalogs of downloadable CAD blocks. You’ll just need to choose what you need from the immense selection. Many sites even offer whole collections of free CAD blocks in one file, in case you need the entire set of appliances in a bathroom and not only the sink.
There are both 2D and 3D CAD blocks, but in this article, we focus on the 2D kind. Stick around to find out what your next favorite life-saving CAD block website will be!
Considerations
Before jumping in, let’s briefly go over the criteria that a good CAD block repository needs to meet:
- Many free models: It’s great to have a big selection of models available. The websites have been sorted according to the number of files available for download. However, this can only be a rough assessment of the actual number of CAD drawings, since some sites offer whole collections of free CAD blocks in one file.
- Variety of file formats and age: Backward compatibility across different file types and extensions, as well as older formats, is important. The platforms include either a wide variety of formats or specific ones that may be harder to come across on other sites. We’ll mention when a certain website supports an older format that’s retro-compatible.
- Easy to navigate: An internal search bar, categorization, and overall user experience are all key features for catalogs. All of the sites selected offer fairly straightforward navigation. For each website, we’ll go over how to navigate the interface and how to look for the desired category.
Now that we’ve set the ground rules and defined what makes the perfect free CAD blocks site, let’s dive right into our top pics.
BIM Object
The focus of BIM Object is a little different from the other repositories on this list. As the name indicates, you will mainly find BIM objects on this site – some 300,000. The files are compatible with major BIM software solutions like Autodesk Revit and Archicad.
It’s very easy to drill down on the kind of free CAD blocks you want on this site. The user can look it up on the search bar, which offers software and project location filters. For a more generic query, there are always the BIM object categories, file types, regions, types, and materials. For those who want to search according to standard classifications, there are files that have been tagged in MasterFormat, OmniClass, and Uniformat.
This makes BIM Object both user-friendly and suitable for professionals.
- Categories serviced: Architectural, design, planning
- Available formats: More than 60, including DWG, DXF, PDF
- Registration required: Yes
Bibliocad
Boasting some 132,000 files, Bibliocad is a CAD block site geared toward architecture, design, and construction professionals. Many of the files hosted here are free for personal and educational use. The files can be put to use in a host of programs that include AutoCAD, 3ds Max, Revit, and SketchUp, to name only a few.
Finding the free CAD block you want is child’s play. Using the search bar (and sorting through price, categories, and file extensions), you can quickly drill down to the relevant files. These range between individual components like faucets to entire building projects. The categories are well organized but overlap on some points.
A free plan limits you to 20 downloads per day. The premium plan enables up to 200 downloads per day and will unlock premium files. As a bonus, Bibliocad offers a range of tutorial videos for primary CAD software tools, making this site interesting also for engineering and architecture students.
- Categories serviced: Architectural, design, planning
- Available formats: DWG, DXF, SKP, 3DS, DOC, RFA
- Registration required: Yes
3D ContentCentral
3D ContentCentral is the official file catalog for the Dassault 3DExperience platform, which includes the SolidWorks family of products. This platform integrates with the existing ecosystem both in terms of interface and formats. It offers a huge set of mechanical parts, both in 2D and 3D form, including assemblies and libraries. Most of the assets are either contributed by the users or are part of official manufacturers’ catalogs.
It’s worth noting that the interface isn’t the easiest to navigate. Categories are mismatched and loosely defined. Since many of the files are user-provided, the category tags might not be the most accurate. The overall macro-area division is quite confusing unless you’re familiar with how a collaborative project works.
Because 3D ContentCentral covers mainly the SLDDRW, SLDPRT, and SLDDRT formats, it may be best for people working on SolidWorks projects. So, if you’re looking for a more universal file format like DWG, you won’t find it here.
- Categories serviced: Mechanical, electrical, design
- Available formats: SLDDRW, SLDPRT, SLDDRT
- Registration required: Yes
CADdetails
If you need variety, CADdetails is the right site for you. Apart from 2D free CAD blocks, this repository also has a large selection of 3D BIM models (some 10,000).
This CAD block repository has two distinct ways to navigate the various categories, in accordance with standard formats. In the OmniClass mode, you can select the general classification on the left side, then you can choose between the relevant manufacturers.
Alternatively, CADdetails also supports MasterFormat, helping you keep all of your documentation consistent with standard practices. In this mode, you can first select the MasterFormat entries list, refine the results with every selection in the element hierarchy, then choose between the relevant manufacturers.
Overall, the quality standard for the material published is quite high, with files uploaded almost exclusively by firms and manufacturers. Each file is available in multiple formats and has a standardized page formatting that’s unique to CADdetails.
- Categories serviced: Architectural, design, planning
- Available formats: DWG, DXF, PDF, GIF, VWX, DWF
- Registration required: Yes
APlus
Another noteworthy repository for free CAD blocks is APlus, which boasts some 30,000 CAD symbols and assemblies. The curators of the website cater to architects’ needs. You’ll find everything from mundane appliances to items that are more extraordinary like helicopters and animals. Overall, the offer is really broad, both in terms of formats and fields of application.
Regarding usability, this website checks all the boxes. The free CAD blocks are easy to find using the search feature. In the side menu, you can filter according to different categories and manufacturers. Using CAD blocks supplied by manufacturers will give your work a more realistic feel than the generic drawings found in the other categories.
There’s no need to register with this site, so there’s really no reason to keep you from checking out this repository. The curators even introduced an AutoCAD plug-in, APlus, to streamline the design process by adding new and improved commands.
- Categories serviced: Architectural, design, planning, mechanical
- Available format: DWG
- Registration required: No
Archweb
Archweb is an Italian online architecture community where professional architects can discuss topics like social housing and LEED protocols. But there’s nothing to fear, the relevant parts have been translated into English.
Apart from the community aspect, Archweb also offers a large repository of free CAD blocks. In sum, you can take your pick from about 30,000 files – 7.2 GB of data. All of the 2D files are stored in the DWG format, so they should be compatible with about every CAD software. In addition to CAD blocks, the website offers details and even drawings of entire buildings. Many of the files are available in 3D formats.
The navigation of this site is relatively simple. You choose from a list of general keywords and refine your choice in successive steps before a handy preview is displayed. A UI like this may not be pretty, but it gets the job done.
The upside of Archweb is that you can download the free CAD blocks without a lengthy registration process. This is the kind of website you can turn to when you need to dress your work quickly without fuss.
- Categories serviced: Architectural, design, planning
- Available format: DWG
- Registration required: No
CAD-Blocks.co.uk
CAD-Blocks.co.uk strictly offers free CAD blocks, so you don’t have to deal with trying to find suitable free CAD blocks between the paid goods. Ingeniously, the curators of this repository have saved all the files in the AutoCAD 2000 format to ensure that they’re compatible with as many CAD software tools as possible. In addition, they’ve freed them from unnecessary layers and text styles, and they’ve made sure that they’re to scale.
The navigation is admittedly a bit uneasy. You choose the desired category from a carousel at the top of the page, then you can select from a gallery of previews. CAD-Blocks.co.uk doesn’t require any kind of registration. Instead, you search for the file you need and download it.
If you want to make your life even easier, CAD Blocks.co.uk sells the entire archive of about 7,000 CAD blocks for £29.97 (~$34).
- Categories serviced: Architectural, design, planning
- Available format: DWG
- Registration required: No
CAD Blocks Free
CAD Blocks Free is a marketplace for CAD models with a large repository of free CAD blocks. The website is neatly organized allowing you to find free assets quickly. On the left side of the workspace, you can filter CAD files using the faceted search of categories, file formats, and prices.
Apart from 2D CAD models, CAD Blocks Free also features 3D CAD files and models that are supplied by many manufacturers themselves. This effectively means that you can use CAD blocks that accurately represent designer furniture.
If you want to sell your own CAD blocks, CAD Blocks Free is a great marketplace to create a new revenue stream. Conversely, if you feel the free CAD blocks aren’t sufficient for your work, you can find different subscriptions for premium options.
Overall, the variety and quality of the blocks themselves have a premium feel attached. It’s worth noting that the majority of the files are stored in DWG format only.
- Categories serviced: Architectural, design, planning
- Available format: DWG
- Registration required: No
DWG Models
DWG Models offers paid as well as free CAD blocks for architects and city planners. In sum, you can take your pick from some 1,200 DWG files. The repository includes not only symbols, people, and furniture, but also maps and decorative motifs too. Although you don’t have to register, doing so has its perks. For example, you can view DWG files through the downloadable DWG file viewer.
To find CAD blocks, you can navigate the categories displayed on the left side of the page. In the case of more general categories like “Interiors”, there are even sub-categories. Alternatively, you can sift through the goods in the gallery view. There’s also a Projects section that collects finished AutoCAD projects and assemblies, many of which are free for educational purposes.
- Categories serviced: Architectural, design, planning
- Available format: DWG
- Registration required: No
CAD-Block.com
The aptly named CAD-Block.com is yet another great site for free CAD assets. On the one hand, it’s a marketplace for CAD blocks where users upload high-quality CAD blocks to receive a small compensation whenever their works are downloaded. On the other hand, most of the files are available for free. According to the website, all the files are optimized to support the AutoCAD 2007 format.
In terms of usability, this repository is pretty straightforward. On the right of the workspace, you select from a list of categories. Next, you’re face to face with a gallery of previews. Once you’ve found a file you like, it’s as easy as just downloading it. Many of the drawings are available in different projections: top, side, and back views.
- Categories serviced: Architectural, design, planning, mechanical, electrical
- Available format: DWG
- Registration required: No
Cad-Blocks.net
Cad-Blocks.net is a carefully curated repository of free CAD blocks. It’s true that this site isn’t as easy to navigate as other comparable sites, but what it lacks in good looks, the curators make up for in diligence. They’ve saved every file in AutoCAD 2004 format to ensure the highest possible compatibility. Another plus of Cad-Blocks.net is that you don’t have to bother registering.
The free CAD blocks are sorted into common categories like “Vegetation”, “Illumination”, and “Furniture”. Once you click on one of them, you can refine the selection with sub-categories. Alternatively, you can use the search bar at the top of the page (although search results might be hit-or-miss). You don’t have to download files blindly to choose the right CAD block, as the website displays a preview for each asset.
- Categories serviced: Architectural, design, planning
- Available format: DWG
- Registration required: No
CAD Corner
It’s true that CAD Corner isn’t particularly pretty to look at. Here, you won’t be treated to a faceted search bar and other amenities. Nonetheless, the free assets on this site are definitely worth your attention. This site offers professional CAD blocks that are relevant to architects and engineers alike. All the files are stored in the AutoCAD 2006 format, so compatibility shouldn’t be an issue.
The free CAD blocks are accessible in a list that’s divided into categories, like “Doors” and “Fasteners”, but you’ll also find list items dedicated to flow charts and HVAC. Every list item features a preview of some of the files. Unfortunately, there’s no preview for every single block.
Every file comes with a concise description of the contents, alongside a statement concerning the dimensions and view.
- Categories serviced: Architectural, design, planning, mechanical, electrical
- Available format: DWG
- Registration required: No
Draftsperson
Draftsperson is the sort of CAD blocks repository that relies on the quality of its goods rather than a glitzy webpage. Hence, the curators have painstakingly reviewed each and every file for the educational stamp. To make life easier, all the free CAD blocks have been saved in AutoCAD 2000 format, so you shouldn’t encounter compatibility issues.
To find relevant free CAD blocks, navigate the list that’s divided into common-sense categories like “Plumbing Fixtures” or “People”. By clicking on the sub-categories you’ll be able to see previews of all the files. If you’ve created CAD blocks yourself that you want to share with others, the curators will be happy to publish them on the site.
- Categories serviced: Architectural, design, planning
- Available format: DWG
- Registration required: No
First In Architecture
First In Architecture casts its net wider than most other repositories on this list. Apart from offering free CAD blocks, this site also features courses and book guides on different CAD software tools. As such, First In Architecture is not only a valuable resource for professional architects, designers, and engineers, but also a great gateway for anyone getting started in the field!
The free CAD blocks are divided into categories like “Furniture” and “Landscaping”. Before downloading the files, you get a preview of what is inside them. You can choose between two kinds of files: One is in metric, and the other is in imperial units.
- Categories serviced: Architectural, design, planning
- Available format: DWG
- Registration required: No
FreeCADS.com
FreeCADS.com is an interesting spin on the topic of free CAD block repositories: All of their models are completely free to download. Furthermore, if a model isn’t available, they claim they’ll design it for you free of charge. This service would be useful for newcomers and professionals alike, given how much time you can save using it.
The categories are clearly defined and easy to navigate. The curated bundles are a practical way of obtaining a lot of parts in a single instance and can even facilitate the design process by grouping similar assets together. They have a little over 2,930 designs, not counting bundles, available for free. The models are definitely high quality, although the fact that they’re only uploaded in PDF and DWG formats is somewhat limiting.
- Categories serviced: Architectural, design, planning
- Available formats: PDF, DWG
- Registration required: No
License: The text of "Free CAD Blocks: The 15 Best Sites" by All3DP Pro is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.