First time using the Internet Archive? Start Here.

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First Time using the Internet Archive? Start Here.

The Internet Archive is a nonprofit digital library. Everything here is free. There are many exciting and powerful ways to explore at archive.org.

The Wayback Machine shows you what websites looked like in the past.

If you want to see what a webpage looked like last year, ten years ago, or in 1999, use the Wayback Machine. You give it a web address (a URL), it shows you a calendar of snapshots. Pick a date and you’re looking at the past. Use Changes view to compare two archived versions of the same site side-by-side. Use the Wayback Machine search bar at archive.org or go directly to web.archive.org. 

Learn more: Using the Wayback Machine

Media Collections – Find Books, Music, Video, and More

This is a vast library of digital content at the Internet Archive: books you can borrow or download, films, music, old radio programs, video games that run in your browser, research papers, and much more. Most of it is accessible immediately. Use the main search bar at archive.org. 

  • Live Music Archive — 200,000+ concerts from bands. Any deadhead fans out there?
  • TV News Archive — US & International television channels searchable in English. Been around since 2009. 
  • Old Time Radio — Thousands of programs from the 1930s–1960s.
  • Software Library — Vintage games and software running in your browser. No download required.
  • Internet Archive Scholar — 35M+ research papers. Direct URL: scholar.archive.org.

Learn more: Search – Building powerful, complex queries

Upload — Preserve Your Own Materials

Anyone with an account can upload documents, audio, video, photos, or almost any digital file. Your upload gets a web address. No storage fees. No expiration. Go here: archive.org/upload

Learn more: Uploading — A Basic Guide

What Would You Like to Do?

“I want to borrow or read a free book”

→ Go to archive.org and search by title or author → On the results page, look at the left sidebar and select Texts to filter → Click a book — the button will tell you what’s available:

  • “Read” — free to read or download immediately, no account needed
  • “Borrow for 14 days” or “Borrow for 1 hour” — requires a free account; works like a library loan
  • “Join Waitlist” — all copies checked out; add yourself to the list
  • “Borrow Unavailable” — this title is not currently available for borrowing unless you have print disability access

You can borrow up to 10 books at a time. Loans return automatically — no late fees.

Learn more: Borrowing from the Lending Library

“I want to save a webpage before it changes or disappears”

  • The Save Page Now feature lets you create an instant, permanent archived snapshot of any live webpage.

→ Go to web.archive.org → Find the Save Page Now box on the right side of the page → Paste the URL you want to save → Click Save

You’ll receive a permanent link to the archived version. 

Learn more: The Wayback Machine

“I want to upload and preserve my own files”

You can upload to the Internet Archive for free. Your files receive a web address, are stored indefinitely, and are automatically converted into multiple formats.

→ Create a free account at archive.org → Click the Upload button in the top right corner → Add your files and fill in the title and description → Choose a media type and a license → Click Upload

“I want to find academic or research papers”

→ Go to scholar.archive.org

This is the Archive’s dedicated search tool for over 35 million academic papers and research articles. It works independently from the main archive.org search bar.

“My question isn’t answered here. Where do I get help?”

Browse the full help center at help.archive.org, watch how-to videos, or contact support at info@archive.org.