Top 10+ Best Online AutoCAD Courses, Training & Classes [Free + Paid]

If you want to learn AutoCAD at home and at your own pace, then this is the place to be!

Below, you will find my favorite picks of the best online AutoCAD courses that are great for learners who are complete beginners and the more experienced!

Also, by gaining hands-on experience in AutoCAD and 3D modeling, users will learn one of the most in-demand and popular Computer-Aided Design software platforms on the market.

So whether you are seeking out a career in the industry or are doing a DIY project, enrollment in any of the below AutoCAD courses is a great addition to your tool kit.

Let’s begin!

Top 10 Best Online AutoCAD Courses, Training & Classes 2024

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1. AutoCAD 2021 Beginners Course – Zero to Hero Fast with AutoCAD (Skillshare)

First on my list is an outstanding AutoCAD class aimed at beginners looking to learn the foundations (pun intended) of this software.

While this is a beginner course, more experienced AutoDesk users can also use this AutoCAD training as a refresher. Classes are delivered by Michael Freeman, a Draughtsman & CAD Designer with more than 2 decades of experience and a half dozen related courses on Skillshare.

Subjects discussed in this training course are 2D drawing, adding text, templates for 3D design, surfaces, mesh objects, layering, hatching, annotations layout groups, 3D materials, and rendering.

This in-depth course has over 7 hours of run time for the video classes, split into 50 different bite-size sections. Users can view the classes at their own pace or on the Skillshare smartphone app.

As for the price, AutoCAD enthusiasts can take this course and 1,000’s of others for free when activating the Skillshare free trial! All around, a solid free course for learning the fundamentals of AutoCAD.

• Beginner level
• Includes a 2D design project
• Finished projects on display to over 750,000 Skillshare users
• Discusses 2D and 3D formats
• Short course modules, learn at your own pace
• Qualified instructor

2. Learning AutoCAD For Beginners (LinkedIn Learning)

Next on my list is another standout course targeted toward AutoCAD beginners. This course is also hosted on LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda) which also has many complementary CAD courses, all included in one low subscription price.

Taught by Autodesk Certified Instructor Shaun Bryant, this course is beginner-level and will get you started using AutoCAD software in no time! After completion, users should hopefully have a good grasp of the software and start drafting easily.

Course length is 1 hour 44 minutes, which users view self-paced. In the modules, students start out with simple drawings of geometry and go on to annotations, title blocks, layouts, and plotting. Real-world exercises and tutorials are included as well.

Afterward, users can join other students and teachers in an AutoCAD study group. Also being hosted on LinkedIn Learning, students get a certificate of completion once done, you can add to their profile, resume, or print out for potential employers!

LinkedIn Learning also has a 1-month FREE trial with no strings attached! It’s a win-win.

• Beginner level
• Self-paced 1 hour 44 minutes
• Exercise files included
• Taught by an AutoDesk Certified Instructor
• Join an AutoCAD study group
• The course concentrates on 2D

3. The Complete AutoCAD 2018-20 Course (Udemy)

Comprehensive is definitely a word for describing this course. Over 17 ½ hours of on-demand video for your self-paced learning. The only prerequisite for beginner to more advanced users is to be familiar with your computer.

Created by Jaiprakash Pandey, an AutoDesk Certified Instructor. Course Q&A section is answered by the instructor with over 21,000 students enrolled.

There are 184 lessons and lectures, and each ends with questions or practice ideas to ensure you get the most out of the course. An AutoCAD questions eBook and a list of the 150 AutoCAD commands are included.

As this AutoCad fundamentals course covers so many aspects of the software, it is ideal for those looking to pursue a career in civil engineering, industrial design, architectural design, or technical drawing or drafting. It’s also great for anyone who needs a blueprint, floor plan, interior design, or schematic!

Once complete, students will receive a free certificate that can be printed or downloaded for a resume!

• Beginner to intermediate level
• Instructor feedback on Q&A forum
• 17 ½ hours of on-demand self-paced video
• eBook and command list included
• Includes practice drawings
• Certificate of completion

Visit Udemy.com

4. AutoCAD 2019 Course – Project 2D and 3D (Udemy)

For absolute beginners as well as more experienced users, this Udemy course will take you through 2D as well as 3D CAD drawings.

The instructor is Awais Jamil, a computer software developer and trainer. Course time is 13 hours, self-paced, and split into 94 sections. 1500 students are currently enrolled.

During the course, you will work on your own 2D and 3D house projects. There is also a whole lot of helpful instruction and information about 3D renderings. Other modules include modifying and drawing panels, plotting and publishing, and challenges specific to 3D drawing.

A certificate of completion and extra projects to work on are offered at the end. Easily one of the best online AutoCAD courses!

• Beginner and intermediate level
• 13 hours of instructions
• Lots of downloadable resources included
• Two different projects to practice and learn
• Certificate of completion
• Extra projects available

5. AutoCAD: Tips & Tricks (LinkedIn Learning)

An ongoing series, this Lynda course is hosted by AutoDesk certified instructor Shaun Bryant. Each week, Shaun adds a new tip or trick that will aid you in using AutoCAD to the full.

So far, it has over 14 hours of tips and instruction. Some of the topics are about specific commands in AutoCAD, how to work with different scales, batch plotting, layers, 3D graphics, saving tool palettes, adjusting centerlines, polar arrays, express tools, and many more.

Meant for any level, beginners can gain a lot of deep insight, while advanced users can hone their skills and keep up with new releases and updates of features from AutoDesk.

• All skill levels
• Over 14 hours
• Updates weekly
• Full of major and minor tips
• Culled together by a certified instructor
• Ongoing series

6. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to AutoCAD Basics (AutoDesk)

Direct from AutoDesk, this is part of the AutoCAD user’s guide. 

Completely self-paced, you decide how much to study, where to go next, and what to do afterward. Everyone who just got their own copy of AutoCAD should take the map-guided course. Casual and advanced users alike will benefit from returning from time to time.

Subjects review the basic controls, create basic geometry, use layers, modify with precision, and others.

Registered users are encouraged to join the AutoDesk discussion groups for further collaboration.

• All user levels
• From AutoDesk, maker of AutoCAD
• Basic to advanced guidance
• Links to deeper instruction
• Discussion groups
• Entertaining interaction style

Visit Autodesk.com

7. 60 AutoCAD Tips in 60 Minutes (AutoDesk)

Autodesk, the makers of AutoCAD, have a fantastic amount of helpful information on how to use AutoCAD on their own website. Autodesk University is an example of that, with many topics available for program users.

This course is a little over an hour long with 23 different downloadable handouts to help you during and after the course. 

It is presented by one of the writers and testers for the online magazine Cadalyst, Lynn Allen, who also consults for AutoDesk. The magazine is another excellent source for general information, tips, and reviews of design software.

One of the primary goals of this course of tips is making AutoCAD work quicker and with fewer steps, thus maximizing efficiency. So, perhaps after studying some basic things about the program, come here to find out how to ease up your workflow.

The instructor works on the idea that you are already somewhat familiar with AutoCAD, which is how you would benefit from these tips. So, it’s geared towards intermediate to advanced users more so than beginners. Once you upskill, you can also seek location-independent jobs and become a digital nomad!

Hands down one of the best online AutoCAD courses!

• From AutoDesk
• Very qualified instructor
• For intermediate to advanced users
• Only one hour of actual on-demand video
• Lots of extra resources to use and keep
• Maximizes efficiency

Visit Autodesk.com

8. AutoCAD 2020 Essential Training (LinkedIn Learning)

From LinkedIn Learning, this course is about 3 ½ hours of on-demand, self-paced video instruction. It is taught by AutoDesk Certified Instructor Shaun Bryant.

Once you are comfortable with the basic use of AutoCAD, a course like this one will help you get to the next level. So, we will call this a course for intermediate users. 

Some more technical aspects of the program are discussed, such as importing external references, using dimensioning techniques, modifying objects, and managing units. In other words, what an employer would expect a new hire to be able to accomplish.

It includes exercise files and other helpful resources to use during and after the course. Over 50,000 people have benefited from this supplemental instruction.

• For intermediate skill level
• Excellent supplemental information
• Lots of extras to keep for later
• Highly qualified instructor
• 3 ½ hours on-demand self-paced video instruction
• Discussion groups available

9. AutoCAD Online Training (CAD Training Online)

An interesting option is provided by CTO, live instructors. If you want to take the AutoDesk certification exam for AutoCAD, this is a good choice of study.

CAD Training Online (CTO) has extremely qualified instructors. Certified by AutoDesk and with years of industry experience, they will assist you to get over the hurdle of becoming certified in AutoCAD.

The live approach is refreshing to see, though many will still opt for on-demand self-paced studies. Live instruction allows you to interact in real-time as you learn with other students and instructors.

24 hours of instruction. Live class has full-day or half-day schedules.

Since becoming an AutoDesk Certified Instructor is the goal of taking the exam, this course is obviously meant for advanced users. You should be very familiar with AutoCAD before attempting the exam.

A certificate of completion and many additional continuing resources are provided. 

Covering subjects such as drawing ellipses and arcs, changing dimensional qualities, polar tracking at angles, and many other advanced skills are discussed, shown, and exercised in class. Helpful for advanced workers as well as aspiring trainers. Easily one of the top online AutoCAD courses and training!

• Advanced skill level
• Live or on-demand instruction
• Covers advanced tools
• Great prep course for AutoDesk Certified Instructor exam
• Extremely well-qualified instructors
• Certificate of completion

Visit Cadtrainingonline.com

10. AutoCAD Online Course (UHD.edu)

From the University of Houston, Downtown comes this 3 part course bundle. AutoCAD 2D Drafting and Annotation, AutoCAD Advanced, and AutoCAD 3D. The University of Houston, Downtown is a major college for business, medicine, and engineering, among other studies.

You’ll need a working knowledge of drafting and design principles to get the most out of this instruction. For intermediate to advanced students and users.

The first course, AutoCAD 2D Drafting and Annotation, cover subjects like sketching, layers, geometric dimensioning, and using viewports in model space and paper space.

In AutoCAD Advanced, you’ll learn about linking and extracting data, line types, and underlays, and customizing the program for your specific needs.

AutoCAD 3D will teach all about 3D rendering. Topics include creating solid models, mesh and surface modeling, and adding animated views.

You can choose either a guided course or a self-study. You have one full year to complete either at your own pace. The guided version provides a certificate of completion. To learn more about CAD, you can see my best Revit online courses.

• Intermediate level
• From a major university
• Self-paced or guided
• Up to one year to complete
• Requires a good working knowledge of design and drafting
• Completion certificate 

Complementary Courses for AutoCAD Users

There is plenty of other software that can help you create visual designs.

Perhaps you want to consider our reviews on Revit or Solidworks as an alternative.