ExifTool is a single program, but it is distributed in several forms so it fits naturally on each operating system. Picking the right one saves time and avoids confusion about Perl, folders and PATH settings. This guide explains every option and what to do after the download finishes. You can start the download from the download hub on our homepage.
What you get in the ZIP download
Choose the package for your operating system. Keep a backup of your files before changing metadata.
- exiftool, the main command-line program, written in Perl.
- lib/, the Image::ExifTool Perl library that does the actual metadata work.
- Documentation and build files, including a README, change history and
Makefile.PLfor standard Perl installation. - A test suite that developers can run with
make test.
Because the program and library are pure Perl, the same archive runs on Windows, macOS and Linux wherever a Perl interpreter is available.
Download options by platform
Windows
Windows users have two routes. The first is the ZIP from this site, which runs with a Windows Perl interpreter using perl exiftool file.jpg. The second is the standalone Windows executable package published by Phil Harvey at the ExifTool documentation, which includes everything needed to run without installing Perl separately. Both produce identical results.
macOS
macOS ships with Perl, so the ZIP works immediately from Terminal. Alternatives include the developer's macOS installer package and Homebrew:
$ brew install exiftoolLinux
On Linux, the package manager is usually easiest:
$ sudo apt install libimage-exiftool-perl # Debian, Ubuntu, Kali
$ sudo dnf install perl-Image-ExifTool # Fedora
$ sudo pacman -S perl-image-exiftool # ArchDistribution packages can be older than the newest release. When you need the latest features, use the ZIP and build it as described below.
After downloading: first run
Extract the archive, open a terminal in the extracted folder and run ExifTool against any image:
$ ./exiftool image.jpg # macOS and Linux
$ perl exiftool image.jpg # Windows with PerlTo install it system-wide on macOS or Linux from the source distribution, use the standard Perl steps:
$ perl Makefile.PL
$ make
$ make test
$ sudo make installFinally, confirm the installation:
$ exiftool -verKeeping ExifTool updated
ExifTool is updated often, typically adding support for new cameras, file formats and tags. Because version numbers change quickly, this site does not list a fixed "latest version". Instead, run exiftool -ver and compare the result with the release notes on the official website. If you installed through a package manager, your normal system updates will deliver new builds when the distribution publishes them.
Avoiding unsafe downloads
ExifTool's popularity means it appears on many third-party download portals, sometimes wrapped in custom installers. Stick to the official website, the project's own repository or your operating system's package manager. Be especially wary of anything advertised as an "ExifTool mod APK" or "ExifTool premium", because no such official editions exist. Our article on ExifTool mod APK claims explains why.
ExifTool is completely free. Any site asking you to pay, enter card details or install a separate download manager to get ExifTool is not an official source.
Once installed, continue with our beginner's guide to using ExifTool.
