To make an HTML link download an image instead of opening it, put the image file URL in an <a> element and add the download attribute. This works for same-origin image URLs, and for blob: and data: URLs. For an image hosted on another origin, the image server may need to send a Content-Disposition: attachment response header; the page’s HTML cannot force an arbitrary cross-origin URL to download.
The basic HTML link for a same-origin image
Use the image file as the anchor’s href, then include download. The example assumes the image is served from the same origin as the page—that is, the same scheme, host, and port.
<a href="images/photo.jpg" download="photo.jpg">Download image</a>When a visitor selects the link, the browser treats the linked URL as a download rather than simply navigating to it. The download value is a suggested filename, not a guarantee: the browser may adjust the name to meet filesystem restrictions, and browser settings can affect whether it asks where to save, saves automatically, or handles the resource another way. MDN describes the attribute as causing the browser to treat the linked URL as a download.
If you do not provide a filename, the browser can derive a suggestion from the response’s Content-Disposition header, the final URL path segment, or the media type. If both the header and the attribute specify a filename, MDN notes that the header filename takes priority; browser behavior and settings can still affect the final result.
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Use a useful filename
Give the visitor a descriptive name when it improves clarity, such as product-front.jpg rather than img_4837.jpg. Keep the extension consistent with the actual image format. The suggested name does not convert the image: a JPEG URL remains a JPEG even if the link suggests a different extension.
Choose the method based on where the image is hosted
| Situation | Use | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
| Image is same-origin with the page | An anchor with href and download |
The browser may adjust the suggested filename or handle saving according to its settings. |
| Image is on another origin and you control its server | Serve the image with Content-Disposition: attachment |
The server response, not the page’s download attribute, indicates attachment behavior. |
| Image is on another origin and JavaScript must process it | Fetch it and create a Blob URL, if the server permits access through CORS | JavaScript cannot use this approach to bypass the image server’s access policy. |
| The page shows a responsive image and a particular resolution is required | Link directly to the desired image variant | The browser may select a different image candidate for display. |
For a cross-origin image, configure the image response
A cross-origin URL belongs to a different scheme, host, or port from the page. Adding download to a link to that URL does not reliably force a download. The HTML attribute is documented to work for same-origin URLs and for blob: and data: URLs, not as a way to override another server’s response.
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If you control the remote image server, have it return an attachment disposition. For example:
Content-Type: image/jpeg
Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="photo.jpg"The filename parameter suggests a name. For encoded filenames, the header can use filename*; clients that understand both parameters prefer filename*. The header communicates attachment behavior, but it does not guarantee identical prompts, save locations, or handling across browsers.
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Use JavaScript only when the page needs the image data
A direct anchor is simpler when the task is only to offer a file. JavaScript fetch-to-Blob is useful when the page needs to handle or transform the image before offering it as a download. For a cross-origin image, the image server must allow the requesting origin through its CORS response headers. Adding a crossorigin attribute in page markup does not grant that permission.
Here is a minimal pattern for an image the page is permitted to fetch:
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async function downloadImage(url, filename) {
const response = await fetch(url);
if (!response.ok) {
throw new Error(`Image request failed: ${response.status}`);
}
const blob = await response.blob();
const blobUrl = URL.createObjectURL(blob);
const link = document.createElement("a");
link.href = blobUrl;
link.download = filename;
document.body.appendChild(link);
link.click();
link.remove();
URL.revokeObjectURL(blobUrl);
}
downloadImage("https://example.com/photo.jpg", "photo.jpg");Replace the example URL and filename with the intended image and suggested name. If the server’s CORS policy does not allow the page to read the response, the fetch will not provide the image data to this script. A Blob URL is temporary; revoke it once the browser no longer needs it. If you need to transform the image, do that with the Blob or image data before creating the download link.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Make the download link point to the intended resolution
An image displayed with srcset and sizes can have several source files. The browser selects a candidate according to display width or pixel density, so the URL in an image’s single src attribute does not necessarily identify the candidate currently shown.
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If visitors should download a particular resolution, link the action directly to that file and label the available size clearly. If the download should track a particular image variant, make that variant’s URL the anchor’s href rather than assuming the browser’s display choice is the desired download.
Troubleshoot a link that opens the image or saves the wrong file
- Check the origin. Compare the page and image URL’s scheme, host, and port. If they match, test the anchor with
download. If they differ, the attribute cannot reliably force the remote URL to download. - Check the image server’s response. For a remote image whose server you control, configure
Content-Disposition: attachment. If you do not control it, the page cannot impose that response behavior on the server. - Check CORS when fetch fails. Inspect whether the image server’s response allows the page’s origin. A markup-only
crossoriginchange cannot grant script access that the server has not allowed. - Check which image URL is linked. If the saved image has an unexpected resolution, look for
srcsetandsizes, then point the download action to the desired variant. - Check filename sources. Review the
Content-Dispositionheader, final URL path, and media type. The browser can prioritize the response header’s filename or sanitize a suggested name.
Or skip the browser setup
If you need an image of a rendered web page rather than the original image file behind a link, ScreenshotNeo can return a page screenshot as PNG, JPEG, or WebP, or as a PDF. It is not a way to download the source image asset. For a screenshot, one GET request is enough:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the download attribute with a Blob or data URL?
Yes. The HTML download attribute is documented to work with same-origin URLs as well as blob: and data: URLs.
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