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How can I know the file size of the downloaded file before downloading it?

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  • I am not sure can you. Can you give a clearer example? What browser are you using? Jun 6, 2011 at 19:27
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    I think you should at least specify the protocol in your question, because you can download files in many ways: over HTTP, FTP, rsync, scp, bittorrent etc
    – vtest
    Jun 6, 2011 at 20:13

1 Answer 1

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You can use the following command:

curl --head <url>

where <url> is the URL of the file you want. The response will be only the headers of the HTTP response, which may include the file size if is known by the server.

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  • How does this help with FTP or SCP? Jun 6, 2011 at 19:28
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    @Ignacio Both of those are used predominately with client programs that commonly provide that information already. HTTP is much more likely. You should probably ask the person asking instead.
    – Daniel Beck
    Jun 6, 2011 at 19:46
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    Which may include the file size. If it's something that's being built and streamed on demand, the file size may not be known.
    – afrazier
    Jun 6, 2011 at 21:51

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