Home › Misc Files › .torrent
.torrent

What is a .torrent file?

Torrent is a metadata file for BitTorrent — containing file information and tracker URLs for peer-to-peer downloading, not the content itself.

Use caution
Type Misc
By Bram Cohen
MIME application/x-bittorrent

Drop any file to identify it

No upload. No signup. No sending your file halfway across the internet.
We tell you what it is, right here in your browser.

Need to convert it? fwip it →

What is it

You have a .torrent file — a small metadata file that coordinates peer-to-peer file sharing. The torrent itself doesn't contain the shared content. It contains information about the files (names, sizes, checksums) and tracker URLs that help your BitTorrent client find other people who have the data.

BitTorrent's genius is that downloaders simultaneously become uploaders. Instead of one server straining under demand, every peer shares pieces of the file with every other peer. The more popular a torrent, the faster it downloads. This architecture is perfectly legal — it's used by Linux distributions, game launchers (Blizzard, Steam for initial downloads), and legitimate file distribution. It's also used for piracy, which is why "torrent" carries a stigma it doesn't entirely deserve.

qBittorrent (free, open-source) is the recommended client — clean, no ads, no bundled malware. Transmission (free) is excellent on macOS and Linux. Avoid uTorrent (once the standard, now ad-infested). Magnet links (starting with `magnet:`) are replacing .torrent files — they encode the same information in a URL, eliminating the need for a separate file.

Technical details
Full Name
BitTorrent Metadata
MIME Type
application/x-bittorrent
Developer
Bram Cohen
Magic Bytes
64 38 3A
Safety
.torrent requires caution. Torrent files themselves are safe, but the content they reference may be pirated or contain malware. Use reputable sources.
What opens it
qBittorrent
FREE All
Transmission
FREE All
Deluge
FREE All
FAQ
Is downloading torrents illegal?
Torrenting is legal technology. Downloading copyrighted content without permission is illegal regardless of the method. Linux distributions, open-source software, and public domain content are commonly distributed via torrents. The legality depends on what you download, not how you download it.
What BitTorrent client should I use?
qBittorrent (free, open-source, no ads) is the best option for most people. Transmission (free) is excellent on macOS and Linux. Avoid clients that bundle adware or cryptocurrency miners.