# Download a Dataset

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 <workspace/project/version> -f <format> -l <location>
```

Or use the shorthand alias:

```bash
roboflow download <workspace/project/version> -f <format> -l <location>
```

Where:

* `<format>` is one of the supported dataset formats (like `voc`, `yolov8`, `coco`, `darknet`, etc). Run `roboflow version download --help` for the full list.
* `<location>` is the local path to download to (optional — defaults to current directory)
* The dataset URL uses [resource shorthand](https://docs.roboflow.com/developer/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"
}
```