Is MIT compatible with AGPL 3.0?
MIT-licensed code is compatible with a AGPL 3.0 project. Here is what that means for your obligations, conflicts, and distribution.
The license of the code you want to use.
The license you are applying to your project.
The short answer
Permissive licenses like MIT carry few restrictions, so they can be absorbed into copyleft projects like AGPL 3.0.
Key obligations
Retain the original copyright notices and license text for the MIT components.
Potential conflicts
None. The copyleft terms supersede the permissive terms for the combined work.
Distribution notes
The combined work as a whole must be distributed under AGPL 3.0.
Deep-dive resources
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What this means in practice
MIT License is a permissive license and GNU AGPL v3.0 is a network copyleft license. That combination is generally safe to ship: you can include the MIT library in a AGPL 3.0 project as long as you meet the notice and distribution requirements below. Internal-only use rarely triggers copyleft obligations, while shipping binaries or running a public network service is more likely to.
Compliance checklist for MIT → AGPL 3.0
- Retain the original MIT copyright and license notices.
- Record that your project bundles MIT-licensed components (e.g. in an attribution or NOTICE file).
- Distribute the combined work under terms that satisfy AGPL 3.0.
- Re-check the verdict if you switch to SaaS delivery or start modifying the component.
About these licenses
MIT License
LibraryA short, highly permissive license. Use it almost anywhere as long as you keep the copyright and license notice.
- Type
- Permissive
- Patent grant
- None
- Source sharing
- Not required
GNU AGPL v3.0
ProjectNetwork copyleft. Closes the "SaaS loophole" — offering the software over a network triggers the obligation to share source.
- Type
- Network copyleft
- Patent grant
- Express
- Source sharing
- Combined work + network use
MIT and AGPL 3.0: frequently asked questions
Common questions about combining MIT License and GNU AGPL v3.0.
Is MIT compatible with AGPL 3.0?
Permissive licenses like MIT carry few restrictions, so they can be absorbed into copyleft projects like AGPL 3.0.
Can I use MIT code in a AGPL 3.0 SaaS or cloud application?
Permissive licenses like MIT carry few restrictions, so they can be absorbed into copyleft projects like AGPL 3.0.
What are my obligations when combining MIT and AGPL 3.0?
Retain the original copyright notices and license text for the MIT components. The combined work as a whole must be distributed under AGPL 3.0.