LinuxCommandLibrary

w3m

Text-based web browser and pager

TLDR

Open a URL

$ w3m [https://example.com]
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Open a local file
$ w3m [file.html]
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Dump page as text
$ w3m -dump [https://example.com]
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Dump with source
$ w3m -dump_source [https://example.com]
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Render HTML from stdin
$ cat [file.html] | w3m -T text/html
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Open in monochrome mode
$ w3m -M [https://example.com]
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Use specific browser width
$ w3m -cols [80] -dump [https://example.com]
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Open bookmark file
$ w3m -B
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SYNOPSIS

w3m [options] [URL or file]

DESCRIPTION

w3m is a text-based web browser that runs in the terminal. It renders HTML pages with tables, frames, and images (when using appropriate terminal), making it one of the most capable terminal browsers.
The browser supports tabs, bookmarks, cookies, and form input. It can also be used as a pager (like less) for local HTML files. The -dump option makes it useful for converting HTML to plain text in scripts.
w3m handles both HTTP and HTTPS, supports basic authentication, and can work with external programs for downloading and image display.

PARAMETERS

-dump

Dump rendered page to stdout and exit.
-dump_source
Dump HTML source to stdout.
-T type
Specify content type.
-cols num
Set display width.
-M
Monochrome mode.
-B
Open bookmark file.
-m
Use mouse in certain terminals.
-cookie
Enable cookies.
-no-cookie
Disable cookies.
-pauth user:pass
Proxy authentication.
-o option=value
Set configuration option.

NAVIGATION KEYS

Space/PgDn: Page down
b/PgUp: Page up
Enter: Follow link
Tab: Next link
U: Enter URL
B: Back
H: History
T: New tab
q: Quit

CAVEATS

No JavaScript support. Some modern web pages won't render correctly. Image support requires compatible terminal. HTTPS may need configuration depending on SSL library.

HISTORY

w3m was created by Akinori Ito in 1995 at Tohoku University in Japan. The name originally stood for "WWW-wo-Miru" (meaning "see WWW" in Japanese). It gained features like table rendering and image support, becoming more capable than earlier text browsers. The project has been maintained by various developers over the years.

SEE ALSO

lynx(1), links(1), elinks(1), curl(1)

> TERMINAL_GEAR

Curated for the Linux community

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> TERMINAL_GEAR

Curated for the Linux community