wget command (Linux / bash / sh / zsh)
What it does
Download web resources noninteractively, including recursive retrieval. When people search for the wget command linux download, they usually want wget's everyday flags, safe examples, and how it differs from related tools. Below you'll find syntax, options, and copyable examples for Bash/sh/zsh.
Download web resources noninteractively, including recursive retrieval.
Syntax
wget [OPTION]... [URL]...
Common options
| Flag / option | Meaning |
|---|---|
| -O FILE | Write to a chosen filename. |
| -c | Continue a partially downloaded file. |
| -q | Suppress normal output. |
| -r | Download recursively. |
| --limit-rate=RATE | Cap transfer speed. |
Practical examples
Download
wget https://example.com/file.iso
Saves using the remote filename.
Resume
wget -c https://example.com/file.iso
Continues a partial local download.
Choose name
wget -O guide.pdf https://example.com/latest-guide
Stores the response as guide.pdf.
Linux ↔ Windows equivalent
Closest match: Invoke-WebRequest (Windows / PowerShell). Send HTTP and HTTPS requests and return response metadata and content.
Common mistakes
- Using recursive mode without domain and depth limits.
- Assuming a server supports resuming partial downloads.
Related commands
- curlTransfer data to or from URLs using many network protocols.
- scpCopy files securely between local and SSH-accessible hosts.
- Invoke-WebRequestSend HTTP and HTTPS requests and return response metadata and content.
- ipconfigDisplay and manage Windows IP configuration and DNS client state.
- pingTest reachability and measure response time with ICMP echo requests.
- sshOpen a secure remote shell or run a command over SSH.
- pingTest IP reachability and measure round-trip response time.
- netstatDisplay active connections, listening ports, routing data, and protocol statistics.
FAQ
What does wget do in Linux?
Download web resources noninteractively, including recursive retrieval.
How do I use wget from the terminal?
Start with `wget [OPTION]... [URL]...`, then choose only the options needed for the task.
What is a practical wget example?
Try `wget https://example.com/file.iso` — Saves using the remote filename.
Can I use wget in a shell script?
Yes. wget works in Bash, sh, and Zsh, but scripts should handle quoting, errors, and command output explicitly.
Browse the full Linux and Windows command reference to search more bash, CMD, PowerShell, Conda, and GitHub CLI commands.