Open Source LICENSE Generator
Pick MIT, Apache-2.0, GPL or another open source licence, fill in the holder and year, and get the LICENSE file or the official file header — with its SPDX identifier.
Runs in your browser: input and output are never sent to the server, and the platform does not store your input.
Output
Fill in the fields on the left, then run.
How to use
- 1Pick a licence by how you want others to use the code: MIT for attribution only, Apache-2.0 for patent protection, GPL to require derivatives to stay open.
- 2Fill in the copyright holder and year.
- 3Save the result as LICENSE at the repo root; for long licences, download the official full text as prompted.
FAQ
What happens without a LICENSE?
With no licence, all rights are reserved by default: people can read the code but legally cannot use, modify or distribute it. If you want others to use it, add a licence explicitly.
MIT or Apache-2.0?
Both are permissive. Apache-2.0 adds an explicit patent grant and patent retaliation clause, which companies often prefer; MIT is the shortest and simplest to read.
Why not give the full Apache or GPL text?
Those licences are long, and GitHub recognises a licence by matching the canonical text word for word. A copy that is off by one line is no longer recognised, so we link the official download and provide the officially recommended file header.
Is this legal advice?
No. The tool produces standard licence text; for commercial licensing or existing code, consult a legal professional.