LICENSEtxt

LICENSEtxt is a filename used in software repositories to store the full text of a software license. It is not a formal legal standard, but part of a common naming convention that also includes LICENSE and LICENSE.txt. The name itself does not change the legal terms; the important part is the text of the license that governs use, modification, and distribution.

Typically placed at the root of a project alongside the source code, the license file allows users and downstream distributors to quickly review licensing terms. The contents usually consist of the standard license text; some projects include a short header with a machine-readable badge or identifier. Many licenses support machine processing through identifiers such as SPDX, for example SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT, which helps automate license scanning and compliance.

Common licenses found in LICENSEtxt files include the MIT License, Apache License 2.0, GNU General Public License (GPL) variants, and BSD licenses. In projects with multiple licenses or components, there may be several license files or a licenses/ directory, and some distributions include a NOTICE file to record third-party notices.

Best practices encourage including a complete and unmodified license text, ensuring compatibility with per-file headers and any distribution requirements. While LICENSEtxt is not a license itself, its presence promotes transparency and helps users, contributors, and distributors understand the legal terms governing the software.