License File Generator
Generate open source license files: MIT, Apache 2.0, GPL, BSD etc.
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About License File Generator
Generate a Professional Open-Source License File in Seconds
Publishing code without a license is like leaving the front door open but putting up a sign that says "maybe do not come in." Legally, code without an explicit license is all rights reserved by default, meaning nobody can use, modify, or distribute it even if you intend for it to be open source. The License File Generator fixes that ambiguity instantly. Pick a license, enter your name and year, and get a complete, properly formatted LICENSE file ready to drop into your repository.
Supported Licenses and When to Use Each
The License File Generator covers the most widely adopted open-source licenses, and understanding the differences matters more than most developers realise.
MIT License is the most popular choice on GitHub. It is short, permissive, and allows anyone to do almost anything with your code as long as they include the original copyright notice. If you want maximum adoption with minimal friction, MIT is the go-to.
Apache License 2.0 adds an explicit patent grant on top of permissive terms. Companies contributing to open source often prefer Apache because it provides clearer intellectual property protections for both the contributor and the user.
GNU General Public License (GPL) v3 is a copyleft license. Anyone who distributes modified versions of your code must also release their modifications under the GPL. This keeps derivative works open but can be a dealbreaker for companies that want to incorporate your code into proprietary products.
BSD 2-Clause and 3-Clause licenses are similar to MIT but originated in the academic world. The 3-Clause variant adds a non-endorsement clause preventing others from using your name to promote derived products without permission.
Other options include the ISC License, favoured by the Node.js ecosystem, the Mozilla Public License 2.0, which applies copyleft at the file level rather than the project level, and the Unlicense for developers who want to dedicate their work to the public domain entirely.
How the License File Generator Works
Select your preferred license from the dropdown. The generator loads the full legal text with placeholder fields for the copyright year and the copyright holder name. Enter your details, and the placeholders are replaced instantly. The preview updates in real time, so you can read through the complete license before committing to it. When you are satisfied, copy the text or download it as a plain-text LICENSE file.
The generated output uses the exact formatting recommended by each license's steward organisation. The MIT text matches the version published by the Open Source Initiative. The GPL text matches the version maintained by the Free Software Foundation. This precision matters because modified license text can create legal ambiguity and may not be recognised by automated compliance scanners.
Why Automated Generation Beats Copy-Pasting
You could visit choosealicense.com or the OSI website and copy the text manually, but that introduces room for error. Forgetting to replace the year placeholder, misspelling your name in the copyright line, or accidentally deleting a paragraph during the paste are all mistakes that have shown up in real repositories. The License File Generator eliminates these risks by handling the substitution programmatically.
For developers managing multiple projects, the time savings compound. Instead of repeating the copy-paste-edit cycle for each new repository, you generate a license in under ten seconds and move on to writing actual code.
Entirely Local and Private
Your name, project details, and selected license are processed entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server, and no data is retained after you close the tab. The License File Generator is a simple, private, and reliable way to ensure every project you publish is legally clear from day one.