Download Single File Using aria2c on Ubuntu Terminal

This guide explains how to download a single file using the aria2c command-line utility on Ubuntu. It covers installation, basic usage syntax, and how to define custom output names for your downloads directly within the terminal environment.

Install aria2

Before using the tool, ensure it is installed on your system. Open your terminal and run the following commands to update your package list and install aria2:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install aria2

Execute the Download

To download a single file, use the aria2c command followed by the direct URL of the file. Replace the URL below with your target link:

aria2c https://example.com/file.zip

The terminal will display real-time progress, including speed and percentage completed.

Specify Output Filename

By default, aria2c saves the file with its original name. To save the file with a specific name, use the -o option followed by your desired filename:

aria2c -o my-file.zip https://example.com/file.zip

Verify the Download

Once the command finishes and returns to the prompt, the file is saved in your current directory. You can list the files to confirm the download was successful:

ls