> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.roboflow.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.roboflow.com/datasets/create-and-upload/download-a-dataset.md). # Download a Dataset ## Web App {% hint style="info" %} Refer to the [Download a Roboflow Universe Dataset](/datasets/universe/universe/download-a-universe-dataset.md) documentation if you want to download a dataset from Roboflow Universe. {% endhint %} To download or export a dataset from Roboflow, first navigate to the Dataset page in your project.
To the right of the image search bar, click Export.
A modal will appear giving you options for formats to download your data as. Roboflow supports [over 50 different annotation formats](https://roboflow.com/formats). You can also choose to either download your dataset directly as a zip file or be provided with a code snippet to download the data locally.
If you choose the code option, you will be able to choose from a Python code snippet, a curl command, or a direct download link to your dataset.
### FAQs
Why don't my zipped image counts match the UI? There are two possibilities for this: * An image randomly failed to download in the respective cloudly service. * The image is corrupt or too large, leading to some errors. Our application only generates the export zip once and then re-downloads the same export if the same format (e.g. COCO) is selected. If you ever notice that the image count is off in the download, you can always create a new version and re-download. \\
Are the downloaded images the original quality? No. To prevent training slowdowns, we compress images at a level that maintains a balance between training speed and resolution needed for sufficient model performance. If you're looking to download a single original quality image, you can do so by clicking on a image on your dataset and selecting "Download Image". If you're looking to download multiple original quality images, we recommend using our [CLI](https://docs.roboflow.com/datasets/create-and-upload/download-a-dataset#cli) or our [Image Search API](https://docs.roboflow.com/datasets/manage/manage-datasets/dataset-search#search-images-across-a-workspace).
## Python SDK Once a project has a generated version, you can download its images and annotations in any of the supported export formats. Use `Version.download()` for the synchronous "fetch and unzip" flow, or `Version.export()` to ask Roboflow to (re)generate the export asynchronously without downloading. ### Download a version ```python import roboflow rf = roboflow.Roboflow(api_key="YOUR_API_KEY") project = rf.workspace().project("my-detector") version = project.version(3) dataset = version.download( model_format="yolov8", # or "voc", "coco", "darknet", etc. location="./my-detector-v3", # optional, defaults to ./- overwrite=False, # optional, set True to re-download an existing dir ) print(dataset.location) # path on disk ``` #### Parameters * `model_format` (str) - export format. Common values: `yolov8`, `yolov11`, `voc`, `coco`, `darknet`, `tfrecord`, `createml`, `multiclass`. The full list is project-type-dependent - pass an invalid value to get the full list back as an error. * `location` (str, optional) - destination directory. Defaults to `./-`. * `overwrite` (bool, default `False`) - re-download even if the target directory already exists. The returned `Dataset` object has a `.location` attribute pointing to the unzipped directory. ### Trigger a fresh export without downloading ```python ok = version.export(model_format="coco") ``` This kicks off a server-side regeneration of the export. The call returns once the generation is complete (or raises `RuntimeError` if it fails). After that, a subsequent `download()` will fetch the freshly generated artifact. ### Public Universe datasets You don't need to be a member of the workspace to download a public Universe project - your API key just needs Universe access: ```python project = rf.workspace("roboflow-100").project("poker-cards-cxcvz") project.version(1).download("yolov8", location="./poker-cards") ``` ### REST and CLI equivalents * REST: the dataset link comes back as part of [View a Version](/datasets/versions/dataset-versions.md#view-a-version); also see [Export Data](/datasets/versions/dataset-versions/exporting-data.md#http-api). * CLI: see [Download a Dataset (CLI)](#cli). ## CLI If your project has a saved version, you can download the images and annotations for that version using the command line. ### Command ```bash roboflow version download -f -l ``` Or use the shorthand alias: ```bash roboflow download -f -l ``` Where: * `` is one of the supported dataset formats (like `voc`, `yolov8`, `coco`, `darknet`, etc). Run `roboflow version download --help` for the full list. * `` is the local path to download to (optional - defaults to current directory) * The dataset URL uses [resource shorthand](https://docs.roboflow.com/reference/cli/cli/using-the-cli#resource-shorthand): `workspace/project/version`, `project/version`, or just specify `-p project` and a version number. ### Examples Download a dataset version in VOC format: ```bash roboflow download -f voc -l ./my-dataset my-workspace/hand-gestures/1 ``` Download using project shorthand (uses your default workspace): ```bash roboflow download -f yolov8 hand-gestures/1 ``` Download publicly available datasets from [Roboflow Universe](https://universe.roboflow.com): ```bash roboflow download -f coco joseph-nelson/chess-pieces-new/25 ``` ### JSON Output For scripting and automation, use `--json` to get structured output: ```bash roboflow download hand-gestures/1 -f yolov8 --json ``` ```json { "workspace": "my-workspace", "project": "hand-gestures", "version": 1, "format": "yolov8", "location": "./hand-gestures-1" } ```