A torrent file extension is used for various files, which are used to download files through peer-to-peer network protocol called BitTorrent. These .torrent files can be opened in any BitTorrent client, which will then proceed to start the download using the information stored in them (such as hash, tracker etc.).

Detailed description

Software that open torrent file

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TORRENT file extension - BitTorrent information

What is torrent file? How to open torrent files?

File type specification:

Internet related file type icon Internet related file type

torrent file icon: torrent filetype icon

File extension torrent is generally related to BitTorrent service and used for small configuration files used to initiate the download via a Torrent Client.

BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer file-distribution protocol, that lets users download fast large files without putting too much load on one single download server.

Although frequently referred to as "downloading", the BitTorrent protocol relies on all users to be recipients and distributors of the .torrent files. While the users are downloading the content of the BitTorrent archive, they are also also helping to distribute it to other users. It is not possible to download without uploading, although you can of course set restrictions on bandwidth usage.

The .torrent files are essentially very small files that simply contain some textual data about the downloaded file itself. Thus, downloading the *.torrent file itself takes only few seconds, but the file is not downloaded from a P2P network. Instead, these *.torrent files are typically hosted on a standard web servers and can be even passed via email or as simple intra-application process in some clients.

When these files are opened with a BitTorrent compatible client, the downloading process is started with the use of the information contained in the torrent file.

Also many other software games, especially those whose large size makes them difficult to host due to bandwidth limits, extremely frequent downloads, and unpredictable changes in network traffic, will instead distribute a specialized, stripped down bittorrent client with enough functionality to download the game from the other running clients and the primary server (which is maintained in case not enough peers are available).

Many major open source and free software projects encourage BitTorrent as well as conventional downloads of their products (via HTTP, FTP etc) to increase availability and to reduce load on their own servers, especially when dealing with larger files.

MIME types:
application/x-bittorrent

Updated: November 8, 2023

The default software associated to open torrent file:

uTorrent icon

BitTorrent, Inc. logouTorrent  Microsoft Windows software

Company or developer:
BitTorrent, Inc.

µTorrent is the world's most popular BitTorrent client. Most of the features present in other BitTorrent clients are present in µTorrent, including bandwidth prioritization, scheduling, RSS auto-downloading and Mainline DHT (compatible with BitComet). Additionally, µTorrent supports the Protocol Encryption joint specification and peer exchange. Multilanguage software.

uTorrent for Mac icon

BitTorrent, Inc. logouTorrent for Mac  Apple macOS / Mac OS X software

Company or developer:
BitTorrent, Inc.

µTorrent is the world's most popular BitTorrent client. Most of the features present in other BitTorrent clients are present in µTorrent, including bandwidth prioritization, scheduling, RSS auto-downloading and Mainline DHT (compatible with BitComet). Additionally, µTorrent supports the Protocol Encryption joint specification and peer exchange. uTorrent is available for both Mac or Windows.

BitTorrent icon

BitTorrent, Inc. logoBitTorrent  Multiplatform software

Company or developer:
BitTorrent, Inc.

BitTorrent is official application used to download digital content such as video, music and games through BitTorrent peer-2-peer (P2P) protocol. Since version 6.0 the BitTorrent client has been a rebranded version of µTorrent. BitTorrent is available for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X.

Related articles:

How to download torrent on Mac

How to download torrent

Help how to open:

To use *.torrent files in order to download files from BitTorrent P2P network, you need to have a BitTorrent compatible client installed on your computer.

Use BitTorrent, Azureus, Bitlord, ABC ect. clients to open the .torrent files. Very simple bittorent client is also integrated in the Opera web browser.

How to convert:

File with file extension torrent can't be converted into another file format. It is simple text file with instructions for BitTorrent compatible P2P clients, where client can find the "tracker" for the download of the data.

Find conversions from torrent file:

torrent to !ut

torrent to avi

torrent to bc

torrent to imported

torrent to mp3

torrent to mp4

torrent to pdf

Find converter to torrent file type:

btkey to torrent

magnet to torrent

File identification strings:

HEX code: 64 38 3A 61 6E 6E 6F 75 6E 63 65
ASCII code: d8:announce

Related links:

BitTorrent information on Wikipedia

List of software applications associated to the .torrent file extension

Recommended software programs are sorted by OS platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android etc.)
and possible program actions that can be done with the file: like open torrent file, edit torrent file, convert torrent file, view torrent file, play torrent file etc. (if exist software for corresponding action in File-Extensions.org's database).

Hint:
Click on the tab below to simply browse between the application actions, to quickly get a list of recommended software, which is able to perform the specified software action, such as opening, editing or converting torrent files.

Software that open torrent file - BitTorrent information

Programs supporting the exension torrent on the main platforms Windows, Mac, Linux or mobile. Click on the link to get more information about listed programs for open torrent file action.

Microsoft Windows:

Main software associated with torrent file by default:
uTorrent small icon uTorrent
Other suggested software:
ABC [Yet Another Bittorrent Client]
BitLord - The Ultimate Torrent Downloader small icon BitLord - The Ultimate Torrent Downloader
BitSpirit small icon BitSpirit
Opera browser small icon Opera browser

Apple macOS / Mac OS X:

Multiplatform:

Main software associated with torrent file by default:
BitTorrent small icon BitTorrent
Other suggested software:
Vuze (Azureus - Java BitTorrent Client) small icon Vuze (Azureus - Java BitTorrent Client)

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