Every open-source repo needs a LICENSE file, and copy-pasting one from GitHub’s template picker or a random gist is a fine way to accidentally forget to fill in the year. This tool generates the standard text with your details already in place.
What Is the License Generator?
The License Generator produces ready-to-use license text for MIT, Apache 2.0 (short-form notice), BSD 3-Clause, ISC, GNU GPL v3.0 (FSF-recommended short notice), and The Unlicense, with your chosen year and author name substituted in automatically.
How to Use It
- Open the tool at /tools/license-generator.
- Pick a license from the dropdown.
- Enter the year and author/organization name.
- Copy the generated text straight into your project’s LICENSE file.
Key Features
- Six of the most commonly chosen licenses on GitHub, covering permissive and copyleft options.
- Live updates as you change the year or author field.
- Honest about scope — Apache-2.0 and GPL-3.0 show the standard short-form notice with a reminder to include the full canonical text, since both are long legal documents.
- No legal advice — this only formats standard, unmodified text; it doesn’t recommend which license to pick.
When to Use This Tool
- Starting a new open-source project and need a LICENSE file quickly.
- Standardizing license notices across multiple repositories.
- Double-checking the exact wording of a license you’re already using.
Try It Now
Open License Generator directly, or press ⌘K and type the tool name from anywhere on the site.
Part of the Generators collection on WebdevToolbox — free, browser-based developer tools with no login required.