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Use Python’s built-in urllib.request.urlretrieve() for a straightforward save, or use the Requests library when you want a higher-level HTTP interface. For large files, stream the response in chunks and close it reliably rather than loading the entire body into memory.
Download a file with Python’s standard library
urllib.request is included with Python, so this option needs no extra package. For a simple download, pass the resource URL and destination filename to urlretrieve():
from urllib.request import urlretrieve
url = "https://example.com/files/report.pdf"
destination = "report.pdf"
urlretrieve(url, destination)Replace the example URL and filename with a resource you are allowed to access and the local path where you want the file saved. The function writes the retrieved resource to that file. See the Python 3.11 urllib.request documentation.
Use urlopen when you need control over writing
For a simple controlled workflow, use urlopen() as a context manager and copy the returned bytes to a file opened in binary mode:
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from urllib.request import urlopen
url = "https://example.com/files/report.pdf"
with urlopen(url) as response:
with open("report.pdf", "wb") as output:
output.write(response.read())Binary mode ("wb") is appropriate for files that may contain arbitrary bytes, including PDFs, images, and archives. This example reads the full response before writing it, so it is best suited to modest files; use a streaming approach for large downloads.
Download with Requests
Requests is a third-party library that must be installed separately. It provides a higher-level HTTP client API, which can be useful when your code needs HTTP conveniences beyond a simple retrieval. Its stable documentation identifies Requests 2.34.2 and Python 3.10+ support.
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For a modest response, check that the HTTP request succeeded before saving the bytes:
import requests
url = "https://example.com/files/report.pdf"
with requests.get(url, timeout=30) as response:
response.raise_for_status()
with open("report.pdf", "wb") as output:
output.write(response.content)The timeout value here is an example you can adjust to suit your application; it is not a universal best setting. Checking the HTTP status helps catch unsuccessful responses, but it does not by itself confirm that the saved file is complete or has the expected contents.
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Stream large files to disk in chunks
With a large response, Requests can avoid loading the entire body into memory first. Set stream=True, iterate over iter_content(), and write each non-empty chunk to a binary file:
import requests
url = "https://example.com/files/archive.zip"
chunk_size = 1024 * 1024 # 1 MiB example
downloaded = "archive.zip"
with requests.get(url, stream=True, timeout=30) as response:
response.raise_for_status()
with open(downloaded, "wb") as output:
for chunk in response.iter_content(chunk_size=chunk_size):
if chunk:
output.write(chunk)The chunk size is an example, not a universally optimal value. The context manager closes the response when the block ends, including when an error interrupts the download. A streamed response must be consumed or closed so its connection can be released; this matters especially when you stop reading before the response is exhausted. Requests documents this pattern in its advanced usage guide.
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Choose between urllib.request and Requests
| Consideration | urllib.request |
Requests |
|---|---|---|
| Dependency | Included in Python’s standard library; no separate installation. | Third-party package; install it separately. |
| Simple save | urlretrieve(url, filename) offers a direct save-to-file convenience. |
Make a request, check its status, then write the response content. |
| Large responses | Use urlopen() and read incrementally when the file should not be held in memory at once. |
Documented workflow uses stream=True and iter_content() to write incrementally. |
| Best fit | Straightforward retrieval when you want to stay with the standard library. | When its higher-level HTTP interface and documented streaming workflow suit your application. |
Neither library is established by these sources as universally faster or safer. Choose based on the dependencies and control your program needs.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Handle errors and check download completeness
HTTP status handling, transfer completeness, and file validity are different checks. In the Requests example, raise_for_status() raises an error for an unsuccessful HTTP response; it does not verify the file’s contents.
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Python documents that urlretrieve() can raise ContentTooShortError if fewer bytes are downloaded than the expected size reported by the response’s Content-Length header. That header may not always be present, and matching it is not a complete integrity check. If you need to validate a file, use an authoritative checksum from its publisher when one is available. See the Python documentation for urlretrieve.
A network or write error can leave a partial file at the destination. If your program must not mistake a partial download for a completed one, save to a temporary filename and rename it to the final name only after the download and any required checks succeed; remove the temporary file on failure.
Quick Recap
When a download does not work
- Access is denied: The server may require authorization or particular request headers. Supply only credentials and headers you are entitled to use; there is no universal workaround for protected or browser-only downloads.
- The saved file is an error page: Check the HTTP response status before writing, and confirm the URL points to the file resource rather than a page that displays it.
- The file is incomplete or invalid: Treat a successful HTTP status separately from completeness and content checks. Compare against a publisher-provided checksum when available.
- A streamed request ends early: Ensure the response is consumed or closed, and avoid treating a partial destination file as a finished download.
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