---
name: "CURLOPT_MAXFILESIZE"
section: "3"
platform: "macos"
package: "curl"
version: "166.0.0.0.1"
release: "macOS 26.5"
platforms: ["linux", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/CURLOPT_MAXFILESIZE"
---

# CURLOPT\_MAXFILESIZE(3)

maximum file size allowed to download

## NAME

CURLOPT\_MAXFILESIZE - maximum file size allowed to download

## SYNOPSIS

```
#include <curl/curl.h>
CURLcode curl_easy_setopt(CURL *handle, CURLOPT_MAXFILESIZE, long size);
```

## DESCRIPTION

Pass a long as parameter. This specifies the maximum accepted *size* (in bytes) of a file to download. If the file requested is found larger than this value, the transfer is aborted and *CURLE\_FILESIZE\_EXCEEDED* is returned.

The file size is not always known prior to the download start, and for such transfers this option has no effect - even if the file transfer eventually ends up being larger than this given limit.

If you want a limit above 2GB, use *[CURLOPT\_MAXFILESIZE\_LARGE(3)](/CURLOPT_MAXFILESIZE_LARGE/3.md)*.

Since 8.4.0, this option also stops ongoing transfers if they reach this threshold.

## DEFAULT

None

## PROTOCOLS

FTP, HTTP and MQTT

## EXAMPLE

```
int main(void)
{
  CURL *curl = curl_easy_init();
  if(curl) {
    CURLcode ret;
    curl_easy_setopt(curl, CURLOPT_URL, "https://example.com/");
    /* refuse to download if larger than 1000 bytes! */
    curl_easy_setopt(curl, CURLOPT_MAXFILESIZE, 1000L);
    ret = curl_easy_perform(curl);
  }
}
```

## AVAILABILITY

Always

## RETURN VALUE

Returns CURLE\_OK

## SEE ALSO

[**CURLOPT\_MAXFILESIZE\_LARGE**(3)](/CURLOPT_MAXFILESIZE_LARGE/3.md), [**CURLOPT\_MAX\_RECV\_SPEED\_LARGE**(3)](/CURLOPT_MAX_RECV_SPEED_LARGE/3.md)