macOS: How to Download File From URL Using Terminal on Mac

In our next Terminal tip, we’ll show you how to download files from the web. Of course it’s probably easier just to use the GUI of Safari, but using Terminal gives you additional stats like file size, remaining time, download speed, and received memory.

How to Download File From URL Using Terminal on Mac

Download files in Terminal command.

You only need one simple command to get started:

curl -O <URL>

Make sure the letter O is capitalized. After you type curl -O, just paste the URL of the file you want to download. Don’t include the “<>” either, that’s just an insertion point. Your download will start immediately.

Download files in Terminal. Location of the files in Finder.

You won’t find them in the Downloads folder though. They will show up in your home directory. You can find this by opening Finder, then click on the house icon with your name next to it.

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