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wget downloads files and web resources from the command line. Its simplest use is wget URL; options let you choose where files go, resume interrupted transfers, process URL lists, and retrieve web pages for offline use. It is particularly useful in scripts and on remote systems, but it is not a browser and cannot reliably handle sites that depend on interactive login or JavaScript.
What wget does
GNU Wget is a non-interactive downloader for HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP, with support for HTTP proxies. Because it works from a terminal, it is useful for repeatable downloads in scripts, scheduled jobs, servers, and SSH sessions. The GNU Wget overview describes its protocols and non-interactive use; the GNU Wget manual available for this article documents version 1.25.0. The version installed on your system may differ, and other implementations may not support every option shown here.
Wget can follow links for recursive retrieval, but it does not render pages like a browser or run their JavaScript. It is therefore not a dependable solution for CAPTCHA challenges, multifactor prompts, client-side login flows, or web applications that fetch content dynamically.
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Check whether wget is installed
Run either command in a terminal:
wget --version
command -v wgetThe first prints version and build information; the second prints the executable path if it is available. If the shell reports that the command was not found, install Wget using the package manager or installation method for your operating system, then check again. Availability and package names vary across Linux distributions, macOS, Windows, and minimal container images.
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Download a file and choose where it goes
To download a direct file URL, run:
wget https://example.com/archive.tar.gzWget saves the response in the current directory, normally using a filename derived from the URL. Redirects and server-provided headers can affect the resulting name, so specify a destination when the exact path matters:
# Write the response to this exact file
wget -O archive.tar.gz https://example.com/download?id=123
# Put the download in this directory
wget -P ~/Downloads https://example.com/archive.tar.gz-O writes the response to the specified file; it is not a directory option and can overwrite an existing file. Use it deliberately, especially when the URL might return an error page or unexpected content. -P selects a directory while leaving Wget to derive a filename. See the GNU Wget invocation reference for command syntax.
Quote URLs containing spaces or shell-sensitive characters. In particular, an unquoted ampersand can make the shell run the rest of the command in the background:
wget 'https://example.com/download?file=report&format=pdf'Shell quoting protects the command as it is passed to Wget; it is not the same as URL-encoding characters. Avoid putting passwords in URLs, where they may be exposed in shell history or process listings. The GNU Wget URL-format documentation describes URL syntax and authentication behavior.
Resume, skip, or update a download
These options address different situations; choosing the right one avoids unnecessary transfers and accidental reuse of the wrong file.
| Option | What it does | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
-c / --continue |
Attempts to continue an existing partial local file. | A transfer was interrupted and the server supports resuming that resource. |
-nc / --no-clobber |
Skips downloading when a file with the same name already exists. | You do not want to overwrite an existing filename; this does not verify that file is correct. |
-N / --timestamping |
Uses modification times to decide whether to retrieve a newer remote file. | You want to update previously downloaded resources when the remote timestamp indicates a change. |
For example:
wget -c https://example.com/large-file.iso
wget -nc https://example.com/file.zip
wget -N https://example.com/file.zipResuming depends on the server’s range-request behavior and on the partial file corresponding to the same remote resource. A redirect, changed remote file, or mismatched local file can make continuation unsuitable. If the publisher provides a checksum, verify it after downloading rather than assuming that an existing or resumed file is complete and correct. The GNU Wget manual documents continuation and timestamping behavior.
Download a list of files
Put one URL per line in a plain text file such as urls.txt, then use -i:
https://example.com/a.zip
https://example.com/b.zip
https://example.com/c.zipwget -i urls.txtYou can combine a URL list with options such as continuation or no-clobber:
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wget -i urls.txt -c -ncA batch may partly succeed, so check the terminal output or save a log when running it unattended. To save a new log, use -o; to append to an existing one, use -a:
wget -o wget.log -i urls.txt
wget -a wget.log -i urls.txtFor HTTP response details, use -S; for troubleshooting, avoid quiet mode (-q) until you no longer need diagnostics:
wget -S https://example.com/file.zipControl speed, retries, and timeouts
Bound retries and avoid overwhelming a server, especially in automated jobs. This example limits transfer rate, sets a timeout, and makes a finite number of attempts:
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minutewget --tries=5 --timeout=30 --waitretry=5 --limit-rate=2m https://example.com/file.zipYou can also set these individually:
wget --limit-rate=500k https://example.com/file.zip
wget -t 5 https://example.com/file.zip
wget -t 0 https://example.com/file.zip
wget --timeout=30 https://example.com/file.zip-t 0 requests unlimited retries; use it only when indefinite retries are genuinely appropriate. Retrying will not repair a permanent 404, and repeated requests can burden a server. A timeout concerns a stalled network operation, while an HTTP error is a server response. Rate limits and delays are useful when a host’s policy or your own operational needs call for them. Option details are in the GNU Wget manual.
Save a webpage and its required assets
To retrieve a page and resources Wget recognizes as necessary for displaying it, while making downloaded links more usable locally, try:
wget --page-requisites --convert-links --adjust-extension https://example.com/article/--page-requisites retrieves referenced resources needed for the page, --convert-links rewrites downloaded links for local viewing, and --adjust-extension adds an appropriate local extension where applicable. If assets are hosted on another domain, --span-hosts may be needed, but it broadens what can be fetched.
This does not guarantee a faithful offline copy. JavaScript-injected content, API requests made after page load, authentication, expiring signed URLs, and cross-origin resources may not be captured. Wget follows supported references in HTML, XHTML, and CSS; it does not execute page scripts like a browser. See the GNU Wget recursive-download documentation.
Recursively download a site carefully
Recursive retrieval follows links, so it can fetch much more than the starting page. Begin with a constrained command and a dedicated destination directory:
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wget --recursive --level=1 --page-requisites --convert-links --no-parent --domains example.com https://example.com/docs/Here, --recursive follows links, --level=1 limits traversal depth, --page-requisites fetches page resources, --convert-links adjusts links for local viewing, --no-parent avoids ascending above the starting path, and --domains limits permitted domains. These controls do different jobs: --no-parent does not by itself restrict domains, and domain limits do not impose a depth limit.
For example, extension filters can narrow what is retrieved:
wget -r --level=1 --no-parent --domains example.com --accept='pdf,zip' https://example.com/files/-A and -R filter URL or filename patterns, not necessarily the resource’s actual MIME type or meaning. Query strings and server-generated filenames can make extension matching less predictable.
GNU Wget documents a default recursion depth of 5; -l 0 means unlimited recursion, not zero levels. --mirror is a mirror-oriented combination of recursive and timestamp-related behavior, not a harmless “download this page” shortcut. Links may lead to large files, calendars, feeds, generated URLs, or unrelated content. Wget’s documented default behavior respects robots.txt, but that is not a substitute for permission, copyright compliance, site terms, or server policies. Do not use recursion to bypass access controls. See the recursive-download documentation and full manual.
Use headers, authentication, cookies, and proxies
Set request headers
For a service that legitimately requires a specific header, provide it explicitly. A truthful identifier is preferable to impersonating a browser to evade restrictions.
wget --user-agent='my-downloader/1.0' https://example.com/file.zip
wget --header='Accept: application/json' https://example.com/data
wget --referer='https://example.com/' https://example.com/file.zipAccess protected downloads
For HTTP Basic authentication, Wget accepts credentials as options:
wget --user='alice' --password='REPLACE_ME' https://example.com/private/file.zipDo not treat a literal password in a command as safe: it may be recorded in shell history or exposed through process inspection. Use a protected configuration file or an appropriate secret-handling method for your environment. HTTP authentication is also different from signing into a website through a login form. A protected web-app download may depend on session cookies, JavaScript, multifactor authentication, CAPTCHA, or a short-lived URL that Wget cannot obtain through an interactive flow.
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wget --load-cookies cookies.txt https://example.com/private/file.zip
wget --save-cookies cookies.txt --keep-session-cookies https://example.com/Use a proxy
One common shell setup is to export proxy variables before running Wget:
export http_proxy=http://proxy.example.com:8080
export https_proxy=http://proxy.example.com:8080
wget https://example.com/file.zipTo bypass proxy settings for a particular command, use:
wget --no-proxy https://example.com/file.zipProxy authentication, TLS interception, and environment-variable conventions can vary by operating system and network. Relevant options are documented in the GNU Wget manual.
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Redirects are common for download links. To inspect server responses without retrieving the file, use --spider with --server-response:
wget --server-response --spider https://example.com/download--spider is a useful availability check, not proof that the eventual content is correct. If a server supplies a preferred name with a Content-Disposition header, --content-disposition asks Wget to use it:
wget --content-disposition https://example.com/downloadA redirect may lead to another host or a destination with different authentication requirements. In security-sensitive scripts, do not automatically trust a server-provided filename.
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wget: command not found
The executable is either not installed or is missing from PATH. Check both before installing or adjusting your environment:
command -v wget
echo "$PATH"
wget --version404 Not Found
The server says there is no resource at that URL. Check spelling and capitalization, confirm the publisher’s current link, and inspect the response:
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wget --server-response --spider https://example.com/file.zipDo not add recursion as a general fix; it does not make a missing URL valid.
403 Forbidden
The request is being denied. Causes can include access restrictions, missing authentication, required cookies or headers, IP or geographic policy, anti-automation controls, or a server rejecting Wget’s default user agent. Supply legitimate authentication or documented request requirements when you have access; do not use Wget to bypass restrictions.
HTTPS certificate verification fails
Check the system clock, hostname, CA certificates, and whether a corporate proxy is intercepting HTTPS. An expired certificate, hostname mismatch, private certificate, or wrong URL can also explain the error. The option --no-check-certificate disables certificate validation; it bypasses the warning rather than repairing the cause and can permit a man-in-the-middle attacker to substitute content. Use it only for a narrowly understood, controlled case, and independently verify the file. HTTPS support itself depends on the installed build’s TLS support. See the GNU Wget manual.
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Use -c for an existing partial file, then check that the local file belongs to the same resource, the server supports range requests, and a redirect or proxy is not interfering. A changed remote version or mismatched partial file is a reason to start over rather than append blindly.
Only an index page downloads, or the offline page is broken
A one-URL command fetches that resource; following links requires recursion. For a single page’s required assets, use --page-requisites --convert-links --adjust-extension rather than unlimited recursion. Missing assets, JavaScript-generated content, cross-domain dependencies, absolute URLs, authentication, and expiring URLs can still prevent a complete offline copy.
Wget downloads too much
Stop the process with Ctrl+C, isolate or remove the output directory if appropriate, and narrow the command with a depth, path, domain, or file filter. For example:
wget --recursive --level=1 --no-parent --domains example.com --accept='pdf,zip' https://example.com/files/Review the scope before restarting; in GNU Wget, -l 0 permits unlimited recursion.
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Verify the downloaded file
A completed transfer does not establish that a file is authentic or free of malware. If the publisher provides a SHA-256 checksum, calculate your local value and compare it with the value obtained from a trusted source:
sha256sum file.isoOn macOS, this is also commonly available:
shasum -a 256 file.isoIn Windows PowerShell:
Get-FileHash .file.iso -Algorithm SHA256A checksum can detect corruption when the expected value is trustworthy. A digital signature can provide stronger authenticity when the signing key and verification process are trusted. HTTPS protects the connection but does not independently prove that the publisher’s original file is safe.
When to choose wget, curl, or another tool
| Tool | Good fit | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
wget |
Direct downloads, resuming, URL lists, and constrained recursive retrieval or mirroring. | Not a JavaScript-capable browser; recursive retrieval needs careful scope controls. |
curl |
Constructing or inspecting HTTP requests, working with APIs, setting methods and request bodies, and piping response data. | Its request-oriented workflow differs from Wget’s download-oriented defaults; neither is universally better. |
aria2 |
Highly configurable parallel or multi-source downloads. | It is a separate download manager and may not be installed by default. |
| Browser or browser automation | Interactive login, JavaScript-heavy applications, and visual confirmation. | Less suited to a simple, repeatable non-interactive shell download. |
| Package manager or service-specific client | Installing software or accessing a service with an official supported workflow. | Availability and behavior depend on the project or service. |
GNU Wget2 is a separate successor project, not simply another version flag for GNU Wget 1.x. Options and behavior may differ; check the installed command’s own version and help. Its project documentation is at GNU Wget2 on GitLab.
Quick Recap
Quick reference
| Goal | Command |
|---|---|
| Download one file | wget URL |
| Choose exact output file | wget -O file.ext URL |
| Choose destination directory | wget -P directory URL |
| Resume partial file | wget -c URL |
| Skip existing filename | wget -nc URL |
| Update using timestamps | wget -N URL |
| Download a URL list | wget -i urls.txt |
| Show server response | wget -S URL |
| Check availability without downloading | wget --spider URL |
| Save or append a log | wget -o wget.log URL or wget -a wget.log URL |
| Limit speed or retries | wget --limit-rate=500k -t 5 URL |
| Fetch page assets | wget --page-requisites --convert-links URL |
| Restrict recursive retrieval | wget -r --level=1 --no-parent --domains example.com URL |
| Disable certificate checks (unsafe) | wget --no-check-certificate URL |
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