SPDX License Compatibility Checker

Look up ~25 common SPDX licenses (MIT, Apache-2.0, GPL-3.0-only, LGPL, BSD, MPL-2.0, AGPL, and more) to see their category, key obligations, and a plain-English summary; check whether two licenses are generally compatible and why — e.g. can a GPL-3.0 dependency be used in an MIT project.

This is a simplified heuristic based on publicly documented SPDX/choosealicense.com/FSF license summaries — it is for informational/development-workflow purposes only and is not legal advice. Real license compatibility can depend on jurisdiction, exact usage (static vs dynamic linking, network use, distribution vs internal use), and specific license text. Always have real legal review before making licensing decisions for a real project.

No license selected

Choose an SPDX identifier above to see its category, obligations, and a plain-English summary.

License categories and obligations are hand-authored from publicly documented SPDX license texts and choosealicense.com/FSF-style summaries. The compatibility checker models a handful of well-known real-world rules (e.g. GPLv2-only vs GPLv3-only incompatibility, Apache-2.0 vs GPL-2.0-only, CDDL/EPL vs GPL) plus a simplified permissive/weak-copyleft/strong-copyleft/public-domain hierarchy for everything else — treat it as a starting point for a conversation with legal counsel, not a substitute for one.

SPDX License Compatibility Checker

Look up ~25 common SPDX licenses (MIT, Apache-2.0, GPL-3.0-only, LGPL, BSD, MPL-2.0, AGPL, and more) to see their category, key obligations, and a plain-English summary; check whether two licenses are generally compatible and why — e.g. can a GPL-3.0 dependency be used in an MIT project.

Common uses

  • Look up what MIT license requires
  • Check if a GPL-3.0 dependency is compatible with an MIT project
  • See if Apache-2.0 and GPL-2.0-only can be combined

Frequently asked questions

Can I use SPDX License Compatibility Checker to look up what MIT license requires?

Yes. SPDX License Compatibility Checker can look up what MIT license requires, directly in your browser.

Can I use SPDX License Compatibility Checker to check if a GPL-3.0 dependency is compatible with an MIT project?

Yes. SPDX License Compatibility Checker can check if a GPL-3.0 dependency is compatible with an MIT project, directly in your browser.

Can I use SPDX License Compatibility Checker to see if Apache-2.0 and GPL-2.0-only can be combined?

Yes. SPDX License Compatibility Checker can see if Apache-2.0 and GPL-2.0-only can be combined, directly in your browser.

Is my data uploaded to a server?

No. This tool runs entirely in your browser — your input is processed locally on your device and is never uploaded or stored on a server.