METHOD ONE: UPLOADING DOCUMENTS

Our first method for downloading Scribd documents on the web today relies on uploading a document
of your own to a Scribd account, in order to gain access to the document you want to download. We’ll
be performing our test in Google Chrome, though you should be able to accomplish this in any modern
browser, including Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge. Start by heading over to Scribd.com and signing
up for a new account. Alternatively, if you already have an account with Scribd, you can use your
existing account by logging in. Scribd supports accounts with both Facebook and Google sign-ins, so
starting a new account is as easy as clicking a button and linking your account. Once you’ve signed in,
find the document you want to download and copy the URL down to an outside source, like a Google
Keep note or Word document.

From here, you’ll want to click the “Download” option on the right side of your display. This will
automatically redirect you to a page designed to help you set up your Scribd subscription, complete with
a 30-day trial. Above this page, however, you’ll see an option to upload files from your computer, with a
button that reads “Select Files to Upload.” Click this button and, on your computer, prepare any kind of
document. If you have a word processor installed on your computer, like Word or Apple Pages, you can
use that to create a short, meaningless document. Alternately, you can use Google Docs to create a free
document on your computer, and download it to your device. The document can contain anything,
including straight gibberish; we recommend using a Lorem Ipsum generator if you’re having trouble
figuring out what to write. When your document is uploaded, provide a title for the new file and hit
“Save.”

Now, grab that URL we saved earlier in this process and paste it into the address bar at the top of your
web browser. A download button should load on your device, and you’ll be able to save the Scribd
document to your computer. However, we should mention that, thanks to recent updates from Scribd,
we’ve had some difficulties performing this without first editing the HTML code using the inspect button
on your browser. It’s not a perfect solution, but once you edit the HTML for the View button to lead to
your device, you can download an HTML version of the page, allowing you to take the document offline.
If you have access to Adobe Acrobat Pro (check with your school or teacher), you can convert the HTML
document to a PDF.

METHOD TWO: USING THE PAGE SOURCE CODE

The second of two methods used for viewing Scribd documents, this involves using Mozilla Firefox to
view the page’s source code to gain access to the page’s info. As mentioned above, we’ve experienced
some hit or miss results with this method, but since it only takes a couple minutes of your time to try,
it’s worth trying anyway. You’ll know this method has failed if you receive a message that announces an
invalid key error. Otherwise, let’s get going with your Scribd document. This was originally our top-
recommended way to download Scribd documents without paying for a membership, but we’ve heard
from enough users having difficulty with this process to demote it to a backup method.

Start by navigating Firefox (we can’t suggest using Chrome, as Chrome generates a .swf file that never
manages to download) to the Scribd document you’re looking to save to your computer. Though Scribd
also carries full-length novels and other works of fiction, we recommend only using this for nonfiction
documents and other sources for your projects, papers, and research. Inside your document’s preview,
right-click the document and select “View Page Source” from the menu. This will open a new tab in your
browser, displaying the source information for your Scribd target.

In this new page, hit Ctrl+F to open the Find in Page UI in Firefox. In this field, enter the phrase
“access_key,” and upon finding the result in the Scribd source code, highlight and copy the code to your
computer. It should be an alphanumerical code, and appear as ‘key-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.” Now head back
to the original document page in your browser and look at the URL in the top of the browser. This time,
we’re looking for the document ID number in the URL of your specific page. Unlike the access key, the
document ID is listed in the URL, and consists of several numbers. The URL should appear as
“‘https://www.scribd.com/read/NUMBER/DOCUMENT TITLE.” We’ll be using the number portion of that
link in a moment.

Now, open up a new tab in Firefox. We’re going to create a new URL using the information provided us
by both the access key, the document ID number, and the following partial URL:
“http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=NUMBER&access_key=key-ACCESS_KEY”.
When you’ve pasted this URL into your new tab, replace the number section with the document ID and
the access key area with the access key you grabbed earlier. Following this, you’ll have to wait a few
minutes for the page to load as your documents begins to download from the Scribd servers. Once your
document has finished loading, use the print option to print to PDF, and your document will be saved to
your computer.

If this method doesn’t work for you, and you receive some form of error message from Scribd, retry
using the first method listed above. Users have reported to us that their preferred method uses the
document upload method listed above.

METHOD THREE: GREASEMONKEY SCRIPTS

For this next step, you’ll need to use one of multiple different Greasemonkey scripts to download your
document, in addition to using Firefox. This has been hit or miss with us as well, especially as extensions
and plugins age and Scribd continues to update their site. Still, it’s worth mentioning if only for the sake
of completion. The first thing you’ll need to make sure you have is Firefox. Greasemonkey is a Firefox-
only extension, and though Tampermonkey exists for Chrome, we’re going to need to use Firefox for this
one. Install Greasemonkey from the Firefox plugin store, and head over to this site to install the Scribd
Greasemonkey extension. There are actually several of these that exist online, and each may be worth
trying until you find the correct one for you.

With your Greasemonkey script installed, you should be able to download Scribd documents within your
browser using the download key that appears on the top of the page. That said, because Scribd is
constantly changing their site, we can’t always guarantee that you’ll be able to find a script that works.
In our tests, we found success using the script here, along with some of the scripts on GreasyFork, which
also include options to de-blur documents on Scribd.

***

Unfortunately, the nature of Scribd means that these methods are far from perfect. Scribd doesn’t want
users to access their document collection for free, and therefore, these methods are always up in the air
for whether or not they’ll work. Typically, trying to force Scribds hand will get you somewhere, from a
full-blown document downloaded from their servers to a saved and converted HTML document that can
be used for PDF files. As always, we update this article once every couple months with the newest
information we can, and our comment section is a great way to see who else is having success
downloading from Scribd. None of the methods performed here are by any means perfect, but with
enough time, energy, and effort, making progress within Scribd to gain access to documents for your
homework or studying isn’t too far away.

POSTED BY JAMIE ON JANUARY 20, 2018

30 thoughts on “How To Download Scribd Documents For Free”

Dan JANUARY 10, 2018 AT 5:56 PM

Use Mozilla Firefox for this. Will not work on Chrome.

Reply

Nimi JANUARY 4, 2018 AT 1:45 PM

The uploader has changed to pick only from local directory. So we can no longer give a web address. The
changing key and doc id method downloads an swf file. So neither works:-(

Rusty JANUARY 4, 2018 AT 10:42 PM

Same. Could use an update.

Nimi JANUARY 5, 2018 AT 3:55 AM

I found a way to do it. You have to save an empty file as said above. Once done, a link will be provided
for you to share the document. Copy the link address.Now right click on that box and choose inspect.
Find the link address there and replace it with the document address you want to download. Now if you
select the view button.. it will take u to the document where u can download it.

struggling OCTOBER 3, 2017 AT 8:40 AM

just try method 2 guys, much simpler – from a desperate person who has been struggling for 15 mins to
download one single file

Reply

Anon SEPTEMBER 29, 2017 AT 9:00 PM

A method that works currently is simple. You see, they load the pages then put the block over it. in
firefox, you can go to tools, page info, media, and it will show you all loaded pages.

So scroll all the way through the document, then select all the image files in the media section that are
actually pages, and you’ll have your data

thisworks JANUARY 26, 2018 AT 4:22 PM

BEST METHOD – it’s not a full-quality PDF but the other methods don’t seem to work anyway. — Jan 27,
2018

Reply

febri SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 AT 7:46 PM

Thank you, you make my day.

if someone confuse with 2nd option just try this.

1. sign up to scribd

2. upload whatever file use generator to fillc contain with word

3. if done, then open your url that you want to download, it will be downloadable

Daniel SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 AT 8:10 AM

Where does the download button appear I can’t see it?

Dave SEPTEMBER 25, 2017 AT 2:53 PM

Do you see all the way on the right side and almost all the way at the top, how there is an icon of four
arrows, pointing away from each other? Then immediately to the left is a printer icon, and to the left of
that, an arrow pointing down. The arrow pointing down is the download. Good luck!
johnny SEPTEMBER 20, 2017 AT 2:49 AM

how do you download from method 1 thru firefox?

Nath OCTOBER 14, 2017 AT 9:47 PM

From computerhope.com :

“To view the source code of a web page in Mozilla Firefox, follow the steps below.

Press Ctrl+U on your computer’s keyboard.

Or

Open Mozilla Firefox and navigate to the web page of your choice.

Press the Alt key to bring up the browser’s menu bar.

Select Tools, Web Developer, and then Page Source.

Tip: With the latest versions of Firefox, pressing the F12 key or Ctrl+Shift+I brings up the interactive
developer tool. This tool provides much more interaction with the source code and CSS settings,
allowing users to see how changes in the code affect the web page immediately.

View a section of the page’s source code

Highlight the portion of a web page for which you’d like to view the source code.

Right-click that highlighted section, and then click View Selection Source.

Tip: Use the Firebug add-on to not only view the source code of a page but change and view those
changes live through the browser.”

Reply

Hyuga SEPTEMBER 11, 2017 AT 11:32 AM

thumb up for 2nd method..TQ

kezzy jones SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 AT 5:04 PM

How did you get it to work? any help here please.

Reply

ididthistoavoidgivingoutmyinfo SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 AT 5:09 PM

Method 2 still works even though they seemed to have redesigned their site a little and some of the
button names have changed.

daniel SEPTEMBER 11, 2017 AT 3:36 AM

Pls what is the new representations on their site

Reply

Raissa AUGUST 30, 2017 AT 8:32 AM

The second method worked for me. On moment that I clicked on “done” on the upload page, appeared
a window with the desired file for me to download it.. Thanks

Reply

Gracias AUGUST 29, 2017 AT 9:45 PM

Thanks a lot .

Method 1 worked for me after pasting the genrerated url in Mozilla firefox browser.

Reply

anonymous AUGUST 22, 2017 AT 4:25 AM

thank you so much……

the second method worked like charm.

i have been looking for the PDF in internet for sometime torrents everything you name it.

at last i found it in scribd but cant download it due to trails and finally with your method i got the file.I
am really happy cheers.

Reply

Sandun AUGUST 18, 2017 AT 4:56 AM

Thanks a lot.. you are wonderful.. Method 2 Works for me

Reply

Jason AUGUST 15, 2017 AT 3:07 AM

Method 2 works fine for me……thanks a lot

Reply

Sky AUGUST 5, 2017 AT 5:57 AM

Thanks!! Option 2 worked with Internet Explorer for me

Reply

Abdullah Khan JULY 21, 2017 AT 4:28 AM

Method 2 worked, even in google chrome…

Thanks so much <3

Reply
Kaya JULY 20, 2017 AT 9:56 AM

Method 1 worked fine in Internet explorer but the download option did not work. So you can read it
online only. Anyway Thanks man!

Reply

aseem JULY 19, 2017 AT 1:12 AM

method 2 works. Thanks buddy

Reply

dudewa JULY 15, 2017 AT 5:44 AM

method 2 works

Reply

John Stamos JULY 6, 2017 AT 12:09 PM

PEOPLE Method#1 works just fine so long as you open the link in INTERNET EXPLORER not GOOGLE
CHROME.

Nath OCTOBER 14, 2017 AT 10:16 PM

OH thank u! I was wondering why it wouldn’t stop “typesetting”, “rendering”… lol

Reply

G JUNE 30, 2017 AT 7:14 AM

Method 1 works on IE. Method 2 is no longer an option.

Reply

Elly JUNE 22, 2017 AT 7:33 AM

Both methods work for me.

BUT, 1st method doesn’t let me download the file only print it or simply read it online.

I did manage to get my file with method two 🙂

Thank you

Reply

Funk Dawoop JUNE 22, 2017 AT 3:44 AM

Hello, method 2 worked for me!

Reply
Nachiket JUNE 20, 2017 AT 7:52 AM

None is working for me.

1st method downloads a generic ScribdViewer.swf file.

2nd method doesn’t even show the ‘download’ option in bullet#4.

Please help!

darius JULY 8, 2017 AT 2:38 AM

i think you downloaded from google chrome… right.. use IE

Method 2. Using Greasemonkey script to download Scribd Documents and Files :

This is another method that will let you download desired documents and files from Scribd for free. You
don’t even have to log in using your Facebook account or Sign up for a new account or buy a paid
membership, nor upload any document to Scribd. You just need Mozilla Firefox Web Browser for this
task.

Go to this link and download the Firefox Web Browser.

Then add Greasemonkey add-on or Tampermonkey ( works on Google Chrome/Safari/UC

Browser/Opera and Firefox) to your browser. Click download and it will install automatically.

Now download this user-script

and install it within Greasemonkey.

Finally, Go to any document you want to download from Scribd and click on download. This custom
script will automatically bypass Scribd’s payment page and give you the option to download your
document.

READ Record Desktop Screen with VLC Media Player

This works
Method 3.Easiest way to download documents from Scribd

1) Go to scribd.com, search for the document you want and open it. 2) Right-click anywhere on the
page and click view page source.

Share

scribd-downloader-2 -Techposts

3) Search for access_key, once you find it copy it to someplace. See the image above for an example of
what the key looks like.

Share

scribd downloader – Techposts

4) Get the document id of the documents that you want to download using this free Scribd downloader.
See the image below for an example of what the document ID looks like.

Share

Scribd Downloader – Techposts.org

5) Replace access_key and document id in this URL

http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=108992419&access_key=key-
13davbcdewnewn9m5w02

And paste the modified URL into a new browser window.

Share

6) Let the document load. Once it is completely loaded, click on the print button and then save as pdf.
Share

7) That’s it! The document will be downloaded as a pdf file to your computer. There are a couple of
more Scribd downloader methods using which you can download from Scribd without paying them
money.

Now that you know how to download files from Scribd for free, So go ahead and download whatever
documents you like.

If you face any problems in following this tutorial, leave a comment below. Also Subscribe us for more
such How to Tech Guides on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux below or Connect with us to stay
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Written by Ravi Singh

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Jody October 8, 2017 at 7:05 pm

When I try to install your script in greasemonkey, I get an error message…..

Line: 9

Char: 1

Error: ‘Location’ is undefined

Code: 800A1391

Can you help?

Reply

Giguna October 13, 2017 at 8:32 pm

Method 1 worked for me. Thanks)

Reply

Mike October 15, 2017 at 3:24 pm

How do I install script on greasemonkey? Can somebody explain it to me, thanks!

Reply

Joshua Castillo October 18, 2017 at 6:24 am

Worked for me me too! Very helpful Thank you so much. More power!!!

Reply