SketchUp System Requirements 2027 and 2026: What Your PC, Mac or Laptop Needs

Quick answer: SketchUp 2027, the current release, needs 64-bit Windows 11 with .NET Framework 4.6.2 or higher, a 2+ GHz processor, at least 8 GB of RAM, 6 GB of free disk space and a discrete graphics card, or a Mac with Apple silicon on macOS 15, 26 or 27. For models with PBR materials, Ambient Occlusion and Image Based Lighting, Trimble asks for a GPU with at least 8 GB of VRAM.

Trimble released SketchUp 2027 on 21 October 2026, and two changes matter most: it requires Windows 11, and Intel Macs can no longer install it. Trimble's requirements page lists SketchUp 2025, 2026 and 2027 as the supported versions; 2024 and older are no longer supported.

This guide gives Trimble's requirements for SketchUp 2027 and 2026 on Windows and Mac, SketchUp for Web and SketchUp for iPad, as checked on Trimble's help pages on 29 October 2026, explains what each component does and ends with a laptop checklist and how to check your own computer.

SketchUp Requirements at a Glance: 2027 vs 2026

Trimble's current page gives one hardware list for all supported versions. SketchUp 2025 is still supported as well; Trimble's changelog says it does not run on macOS 12 or older.

Which SketchUp Version Should You Install?

• Windows 11 PC or Mac with Apple silicon: SketchUp 2027.

• Intel Mac: SketchUp 2027 cannot be installed. Trimble keeps SketchUp 26.2 as a fully supported legacy version for Intel Macs.

• Windows 10 PC: SketchUp 2027 requires Windows 11. Trimble says it may still install on Windows 10, but as an unsupported system (details in the Windows section below).

• Mac that stays on macOS 14 Sonoma: SketchUp 2026, since 2027 needs macOS 15 or later.

• Render engine or extension users: check that your extensions list SketchUp 2027 before you upgrade (see the render engines section below).

What Is SketchUp?

SketchUp is a professional 3D modeling software developed by Trimble, used by architects, interior designers, landscape architects and urban planners for fast concept design, spatial modeling and visualization. It is known for its intuitive interface, its Push/Pull modeling and a large extension ecosystem.

It comes in three forms, each with its own requirements: the desktop app for Windows and macOS, SketchUp for Web in the browser and SketchUp for iPad.

Minimum vs Recommended: How to Read Trimble's List

Trimble does not publish separate minimum and recommended tiers for Windows. Its page gives one list, titled "Minimum Recommended Hardware Requirements", plus an extra graphics rule for models with PBR materials. The Mac list says that every Mac with an M-series chip meets the minimum for RAM and graphics.

Above that floor, how smooth SketchUp feels depends on the processor's clock speed, the memory, the graphics card and its VRAM, the disk and your displays. The 16 and 32 GB memory tiers and the SSD advice further down are our recommendations from practice, not Trimble requirements.

SketchUp 2027 System Requirements for Windows

SketchUp 2027 requires 64-bit Windows 11. Trimble describes the end of Windows 10 in two ways on its own pages. Its Compatibility Considerations changelog says: "With the release of SketchUp 2026.1, we have removed support for Windows 10." Its End of Support page says Windows 10 is no longer supported "beginning with SketchUp 2027.0" and adds: "While SketchUp may still install on Windows 10, as an unsupported operating system, you may see unexpected instabilities." SketchUp 2026.0 still supported Windows 10.

Software Requirements for Windows

SketchUp on Windows needs an internet connection to install and authorize your subscription, and some features within SketchUp need one too.

Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6.2 or higher is required. If your version is out of date, the installer asks you to download an updated one.

Minimum Recommended Hardware for Windows

Trimble's list for Windows, as of October 2026:

• Operating system: Windows 11 (64-bit)

• Processor: 2+ GHz

• Memory: at least 8 GB of RAM

• Disk: at least 6 GB of free space

• Graphics card: a discrete card, separate from the CPU; Trimble says most current-generation AMD or NVIDIA cards are discrete

• OpenGL: 3.1 or higher for SketchUp's classic graphics engine

• VRAM: a modern GPU with at least 8 GB when you work with models that use PBR texture maps, Ambient Occlusion and Image Based Lighting

• Input device: a 3-button scroll-wheel mouse

Additional Requirements for the New Graphics Engine

Starting with SketchUp 2024, a new graphics engine was introduced, enabling features such as:

• Physically Based Rendering (PBR) materials with texture maps

• Ambient Occlusion

• Image Based Lighting (environments)

The new engine adds its own requirements:

• Windows: DirectX 12 with feature level 11.0

• Mac: Metal 2 support and a currently supported macOS version

• Models with PBR, Ambient Occlusion and Image Based Lighting: a modern GPU with at least 8 GB of VRAM

These GPUs are not supported by the new engine:

• Windows: Intel HD Graphics 4x00 series

• Mac: Intel HD Graphics 5000, Intel HD Graphics 6000, Intel Iris Graphics, Intel Iris Graphics 6100 and Intel Iris Pro Graphics

If your device does not meet these requirements, SketchUp defaults to the classic graphics engine. You can switch between the two engines in SketchUp's Preferences under Graphics › Graphics Engine, and pick the card SketchUp uses under GPU Selection when your computer has more than one.

SketchUp System Requirements for Mac (2027 and 2026)

SketchUp 2027 requires a Mac with Apple silicon: Intel Macs can no longer install it, and Trimble says SketchUp "will no longer support Mac devices from 2019 or earlier". SketchUp 2026 still runs on Intel Macs, and Trimble's End of Support page keeps SketchUp 26.2 as "a fully supported legacy version" for them.

Supported macOS Versions

• SketchUp 2027: macOS 27 Golden Gate, macOS 26 Tahoe and macOS 15 Sequoia, on Apple silicon only

• SketchUp 2026: macOS 26 Tahoe, macOS 15 Sequoia and macOS 14 Sonoma, on Intel or Apple silicon; Trimble says it is not compatible with macOS 13 or older

• SketchUp 2025: Trimble says it is not compatible with macOS 12 or older

SketchUp 2027 dropped macOS 14 Sonoma, so a Mac that cannot move past Sonoma stays on SketchUp 2026.

Hardware Requirements for Mac

• Processor: Apple M1 or newer for SketchUp 2027; SketchUp 2026 also runs on a 2.1+ GHz Intel processor

• Memory and graphics: Trimble says all Apple devices with an M-series chip meet the minimum requirements for both RAM and graphics

• Disk: at least 6 GB of free space

• New graphics engine: Metal 2 support; otherwise SketchUp uses the classic engine

• Software: an internet connection to install and authorize your subscription, Safari, and QuickTime 5.0 with a web browser for the multimedia tutorials

• Input device: a 3-button scroll-wheel mouse

Processor (CPU) Performance in SketchUp

In practice, SketchUp relies more on high single-core performance than on a large number of CPU cores. Trimble's own list asks only for a 2+ GHz processor, but users on the SketchUp forum report that most modeling actions, such as orbiting the model, Push/Pull, editing faces and managing components, run on one core, so the processor's clock speed matters most.

For a smoother modeling experience and more immediate feedback during interaction, SketchUp benefits from processors with higher base and boost clock speeds. CPUs with fewer cores but higher frequencies often deliver better performance than processors with many cores running at lower speeds.

For users who combine SketchUp modeling with visualization or external rendering workflows, choosing the right processor becomes even more important. To explore detailed recommendations, see our guide on best CPU options for rendering.

Memory (RAM) and Disk Space: How Many GB Does SketchUp Need?

Memory directly affects how large and complex your SketchUp models can be before performance starts to drop. When RAM is insufficient, navigation slows down and overall responsiveness decreases.

Trimble's minimum is 8 GB of RAM. Our recommendation from practice:

• 8 GB: small and medium models and basic work

• 16 GB: day-to-day professional work

• 32 GB: large scenes, high polygon counts and models full of PBR materials

Disk space: Trimble asks for at least 6 GB of free disk space for the desktop app on Windows and Mac; it does not publish a download size. SketchUp for Web needs 700 MB, with 1 GB recommended. We also recommend an SSD: it shortens file loading and autosaves, although Trimble does not require one.

Graphics Card and VRAM

SketchUp relies heavily on GPU performance, especially when working with visually detailed models and modern rendering features.

The graphics card directly influences:

• Viewport smoothness

• Shadows and lighting

• PBR materials

• Ambient Occlusion

• Environment lighting

When the new graphics engine is enabled, insufficient GPU capability can lead to reduced performance or make SketchUp fall back to the classic graphics engine.

For more demanding workflows, using a modern dedicated graphics card results in noticeably smoother navigation, faster visual updates, and a more stable modeling experience.

If your workflow includes real-time visualization, advanced materials, or external render engines, selecting the right graphics card is critical when evaluating GPU choices for rendering workflows.

How much VRAM? Trimble asks for at least 8 GB of VRAM only when a model uses PBR texture maps, Ambient Occlusion and Image Based Lighting. For other models, its Windows list asks for a discrete graphics card without a VRAM figure, and on a Mac every M-series chip meets the graphics minimum.

Render Engines and Extensions Need More

Rendering extensions add their own requirements and their own list of SketchUp versions, so check them before you upgrade. Enscape for SketchUp, for example, asks for Windows 10 or higher with an NVIDIA or AMD GPU with 4 GB of VRAM and Vulkan 1.1 (8 GB recommended) or an Intel Arc A310, or macOS 14.8.1 or later on Apple M1 or newer, and on 29 October 2026 it listed SketchUp 2024–2026, not 2027. For other engines, see our Lumion system requirements guide, the comparisons Enscape vs V-Ray and D5 Render vs Enscape, and our list of cloud rendering software. Our guide to SketchUp plugins gives each extension's SketchUp compatibility.

Photoreal images don't have to come from your own graphics card. SketchUp still needs its own minimum for modeling, but ArchiVinci's free SketchUp extension lets you render your SketchUp views online with AI: it renders the active view, or up to 4 saved scenes in one batch, with ArchiVinci's engines, so no render engine or GPU setup is needed on your computer. Its Extension Warehouse listing gives SketchUp 2021–2026 on Windows and Mac (October 2026). You sign in with an ArchiVinci account; a new account starts with 3 free credits, and commercial use of the renders needs an active plan.

The ArchiVinci panel next to a SketchUp model, with three saved scenes queued for one batch (screenshot, October 2026).

Displays, Mice and 3D Mice

Trimble's Compatibility Considerations page sets these rules for monitors:

• No 5K displays (they are not supported)

• At most one 4K display at a time

• At most two displays, with matching resolutions

• 100 % display scaling; anything over 150 % is not supported

SketchUp is DPI aware (restart it after you change the scaling), it supports 3Dconnexion 3D mice, and a 3-button scroll-wheel mouse is part of Trimble's requirements. For screens and mice that suit long modeling sessions, see our guides to monitors for architects and mice for architects.

SketchUp for Web Requirements

SketchUp for Web runs in the browser without a local installation. You sign in with a Trimble ID, which is free and includes 10 GB of storage in Trimble Connect. Performance depends largely on your device's hardware and on the browser you use.

Hardware Requirements

For basic modeling and light workflows, the following minimum specifications are required.

• A 2.1 GHz Intel processor

• 4 GB of RAM

• At least 700 MB of available disk space

• Integrated graphics with a minimum of 512 MB VRAM

For smoother navigation, larger models, and more stable performance, the recommended specifications are:

• A 2.8+ GHz Intel processor

• 8 GB of RAM or more

• At least 1 GB of available disk space

• A discrete graphics card, such as an AMD Radeon R9 M37X with 2 GB (2048 MB)

Software Requirements

SketchUp for Web requires a modern browser with WebAssembly support to function correctly.

For the best experience, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge are recommended. Safari is supported, but not confidently recommended for optimal performance.

If the browser supports WebGPU, SketchUp for Web automatically enables the new graphics engine, unlocking advanced visual features.

Ambient Occlusion, photoreal materials and Environments in SketchUp for Web are only available with a SketchUp subscription. A 3-button scroll-wheel mouse is not required but makes orbiting and zooming easier, and 3Dconnexion devices are supported.

Working in SketchUp for Web? Take a screenshot of the view and upload it for AI rendering in ArchiVinci, which also runs in the browser. If the job is a floor plan rather than a 3D model, Floor Plan Maker draws and furnishes plans in a desktop browser, with room areas, 2D and 3D views and DXF, OBJ and GLB export.

SketchUp for iPad Requirements

SketchUp for iPad works on iPad Pro, iPad, iPad Air and iPad mini models, and Trimble recommends the most powerful iPad you can get for large files. It needs:

• iPadOS 18.0 or later

• Apple Pencil: developed for the second generation; the first generation and other supported third-party pens work too

• Optional input: Magic Keyboard and Trackpad, or a Bluetooth 3-button mouse with a scroll wheel; multi-touch is fully supported

• Scan-to-Design: an iPad with LiDAR

Unsupported Environments and Limitations

Trimble lists these environments as unsupported for current versions of SketchUp on its Compatibility Considerations page. Some of them may still run, but Trimble does not test or support them.

• 32-bit systems: SketchUp is no longer available for Windows or macOS in any 32-bit form.

• Windows 10 and older: not supported by SketchUp 2027 (see Trimble's two statements in the Windows section).

• Intel Macs and macOS 14 Sonoma or older: not supported by SketchUp 2027; SketchUp 2026 is not compatible with macOS 13 or older.

• Windows on ARM: Trimble says ARM64 processors can emulate x64 on Windows 11 in a VM capacity but are not supported.

• Linux: there is no Linux version of SketchUp.

• Parallels and VMware: not supported. Trimble's virtualization policy does allow subscribers to use supported versions in virtual environments, but without technical support and with graphics slower than on a native device.

• Remote Desktop Connection: not supported on any platform, due to hardware restrictions in shared environments.

• External GPUs (eGPU): untested and unsupported.

How to Check Your Computer

• Windows graphics card: type dxdiag in the Run box, open the Display tab of the DirectX Diagnostic Tool and read the card's name and video memory (Trimble's steps).

• Windows processor, RAM and edition: Settings › System › About.

• Mac: Apple menu › About This Mac shows the chip (Apple silicon or Intel), the memory and the macOS version.

• Inside SketchUp: Preferences › Graphics › Graphics Engine Details lists your graphics engine, the graphics API, the device and the driver version.

Laptop Checklist for SketchUp

A laptop for SketchUp 2027 should have:

• Windows 11 on an Intel or AMD processor, or a MacBook with Apple silicon

• A discrete AMD or NVIDIA graphics card, with at least 8 GB of VRAM if you work with PBR materials

• 16 GB of RAM for professional work (our recommendation; Trimble's minimum is 8 GB)

• A processor with a high clock speed, which helps modeling more than extra cores

• At least 6 GB free on an SSD

• No Arm-based Windows processor, which Trimble does not support

For models and prices, see our guides to laptops for rendering and visualization and laptops for architecture students. Other design software: Revit system requirements, AutoCAD system requirements and Blender system requirements.

Key Takeaways

• SketchUp 2027 (released 21 October 2026) needs 64-bit Windows 11 with .NET Framework 4.6.2 or higher, or a Mac with Apple silicon on macOS 15, 26 or 27.

• Trimble's Windows list: a 2+ GHz processor, 8 GB of RAM, 6 GB of free disk and a discrete AMD or NVIDIA card; 8 GB of VRAM when models use PBR, Ambient Occlusion and Image Based Lighting.

• Windows 10: Trimble lists 2026.1 as the release that removed it and says 2027.0 no longer supports it; SketchUp may still install there as an unsupported system.

• Intel Macs stay on SketchUp 26.2, Trimble's fully supported legacy version.

• CPU clock speed matters more than core count for modeling, and 16 GB of RAM is our recommendation for professional work.

• SketchUp for Web needs a browser with WebAssembly (Chrome, Firefox or Edge recommended); SketchUp for iPad needs iPadOS 18.0 or later.

• Unsupported: 32-bit systems, Windows on ARM, Linux, Parallels and VMware (virtual use is allowed without support), Remote Desktop and eGPUs.

Try it in ArchiVinci

Upload a sketch, a photo or a 3D model view and describe the result in a sentence: ArchiVinci generates a new image that follows your upload. A new account starts with 3 free credits.

• From SketchUp: AI rendering for SketchUp

• Render a sketch, photo or model view: AI render

Frequently Asked Questions

Does SketchUp require an internet connection?

Yes. An internet connection is required to install SketchUp and to authorize your subscription. Some features also rely on online connectivity.

Which operating systems do SketchUp 2027 and 2026 support?

SketchUp 2027 supports 64-bit Windows 11 and macOS 15 Sequoia, 26 Tahoe and 27 Golden Gate on Apple silicon. SketchUp 2026 supports Windows 11 (2026.0 also ran on Windows 10) and macOS 14 Sonoma, 15 Sequoia and 26 Tahoe on Intel or Apple silicon.

Can SketchUp run on Windows 10?

Not as a supported system. Trimble's changelog says SketchUp 2026.1 removed support for Windows 10, and its End of Support page says SketchUp 2027.0 requires Windows 11, adding that SketchUp "may still install on Windows 10" with possible unexpected instabilities. SketchUp 2026.0 still supported Windows 10.

Does SketchUp 2027 run on an Intel Mac?

No. SketchUp 2027 requires Apple silicon, and Intel Macs cannot install it. Trimble keeps SketchUp 26.2 as a fully supported legacy version for Intel Macs.

Does SketchUp run on Windows on ARM?

Not officially. Trimble says ARM64 processors can emulate x64 on Windows 11 in a VM capacity but are not supported.

Which SketchUp versions are supported?

As of 29 October 2026, Trimble supports SketchUp 2025, 2026 and 2027. SketchUp 2024 and older versions are not supported.

What happens if my computer does not support the new graphics engine?

SketchUp defaults to the classic graphics engine, so materials with PBR texture maps and the new engine's lighting effects are not available. You can switch engines in SketchUp's Preferences under Graphics.

Is a dedicated graphics card required?

Trimble's Windows list includes a discrete graphics card (most current AMD or NVIDIA cards are discrete), and models with PBR materials, Ambient Occlusion and Image Based Lighting need a modern GPU with at least 8 GB of VRAM. On a Mac, every M-series chip meets the graphics minimum.

Does SketchUp rely more on the CPU or the GPU?

Both matter. Most modeling actions run on one core, so CPU clock speed matters most for modeling (SketchUp forum consensus; Trimble asks only for 2+ GHz), while the GPU drives viewport performance and the new graphics engine's visual features.

How much RAM do I need for SketchUp?

Trimble's minimum is 8 GB. We recommend 16 GB for professional work and 32 GB for large or PBR-heavy models. On a Mac, Trimble says every M-series chip meets the RAM minimum.

How much VRAM does SketchUp need?

Trimble asks for a modern GPU with at least 8 GB of VRAM when you work with PBR texture maps, Ambient Occlusion and Image Based Lighting. For other models, its Windows list asks for a discrete graphics card without a VRAM figure.

How much disk space does SketchUp need?

At least 6 GB of free disk space for the desktop app on Windows or Mac; Trimble does not publish a download size. SketchUp for Web needs 700 MB, with 1 GB recommended.

Is SketchUp available for Linux?

No. SketchUp does not offer an official Linux version.

Can I run SketchUp in a virtual machine or via Remote Desktop?

Parallels, VMware and Remote Desktop Connections are not supported. Trimble's virtualization policy does allow subscribers to run supported versions in virtual environments, but it offers no technical support there, and graphics performance will not match a native device.

Does SketchUp for Web require special browser support?

Yes. SketchUp for Web requires a modern browser with WebAssembly support, and WebGPU is needed to enable the new graphics engine. Chrome, Firefox, or Edge are recommended.

Can I use SketchUp on iPad?

Yes. SketchUp for iPad needs iPadOS 18.0 or later and works on iPad Pro, iPad, iPad Air and iPad mini models. It was developed for the second-generation Apple Pencil, and Scan-to-Design needs an iPad with LiDAR.