How to Open a DWL File
For an AutoCAD DWL file, open the associated DWG drawing instead. DWL and DWL2 are temporary information files used by AutoCAD’s WHOHAS command; they do not contain the drawing you want to view.
Choose what you need
Open the drawing associated with DWL
- Look for the DWG with the same base name in the same folder.
- Open that DWG with compatible CAD software.
- If the drawing is absent, ask for the DWG or locate a verified drawing backup.
Receiving a DWL alone is not equivalent to receiving a drawing. Ask the sender to supply the actual drawing and any required referenced files.
What DWL and DWL2 do in current AutoCAD
Autodesk describes these files as supporting WHOHAS information about an open drawing. They are normally removed when the drawing closes; a crash can leave them behind.
Do not treat DWL as the mechanism that enforces operating-system or network file locking. Autodesk distinguishes those locking services from the DWL/DWL2 information used by WHOHAS.
Can you recover or convert DWL to DWG?
Renaming a DWL to DWG does not recover drawing geometry. For recovery, look for the actual DWG, an AutoCAD BAK backup or other supported backup. A DWL is not a substitute for those files.
If you are considering deleting a leftover DWL, first close the associated drawing and confirm that no other user is editing it. On shared storage, ask the administrator about access or locking problems rather than deleting metadata to force access.
Frequently asked questions
Can I convert DWL to DWG?
No. A DWL contains temporary drawing-use information rather than the drawing geometry. Locate the associated DWG or a real drawing backup.
Does DWL lock an AutoCAD drawing?
Autodesk says current DWL/DWL2 files support WHOHAS information. Operating-system, network or storage services handle file locking.
Sources and further reading
Opening routes checked against the references below on October 11, 2026. Device menus, software support and protection policies can change.