Where to get Blender and what to expect

Blender is a free 3D creation program you can download directly from blender.org, the official website. The download takes a few minutes on most internet connections, and the installation itself is straightforward — you run the installer file and follow the prompts. The whole process, from download to opening the program, usually takes under 10 minutes.

Blender runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The file size is roughly 300 to 400 megabytes depending on your operating system, so you will need that much free disk space. The program itself requires a computer built in the last five to seven years to run smoothly, though older machines can still open it.

Key Takeaways

  • Download Blender from blender.org, not from app stores or third-party sites, to ensure you get the official version without bundled software.
  • Windows users download an .msi file and run it like any other installer; macOS users download a .dmg file and drag Blender into the Applications folder.
  • Linux users can download a .tar.xz file or use their distribution's package manager, depending on which method their system supports.
  • After installation, launch Blender from your Applications folder, Start menu, or desktop shortcut and you can begin using it immediately without creating an account.

Downloading Blender on Windows

Go to blender.org in your web browser. On the homepage, you will see a large blue download button. Click it, and the site will detect that you are on Windows and show you the Windows download option. Click the download link labeled with the current version number — it will be a file ending in .msi.

The file will download to your Downloads folder. Once it finishes, open your Downloads folder, find the Blender installer file, and double-click it. A setup window will appear. Click through the prompts, accept the license agreement, and choose where you want to install Blender — the default location (Program Files) works fine for most people. Click Install, and Windows will copy the files to your computer. When it finishes, click Finish to close the installer.

Blender is now installed. You can launch it by searching for "Blender" in your Start menu or by finding the Blender shortcut on your desktop if the installer created one.

Downloading Blender on macOS

Visit blender.org and click the download button. The site will show you the macOS download option. Click the link for your processor type — if you have an Apple Silicon Mac (M1, M2, M3, or newer), download the ARM64 version; if you have an older Intel Mac, download the x86_64 version. The file will be a .dmg file.

Once the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the .dmg file. A window will appear showing the Blender icon and an Applications folder. Drag the Blender icon into the Applications folder. macOS will copy Blender to your Applications folder, which may take a minute or two.

When the copy finishes, close the window and open your Applications folder. Find Blender in the list, double-click it, and the program will launch. The first time you open it, macOS may ask for permission — click Open to confirm. Blender is now ready to use.

Downloading Blender on Linux

Linux users have two main options: download the pre-built file from blender.org, or use their distribution's package manager. The pre-built file is simpler if you want the latest version immediately.

To download the pre-built file, go to blender.org and click the download button. Select the Linux option and download the .tar.xz file for your processor type (most modern Linux systems use x86_64). Once the download finishes, open a file manager, navigate to your Downloads folder, and right-click the .tar.xz file. Select Extract or Decompress — the exact wording depends on your file manager. A new folder containing Blender will appear.

Open that folder and look for the blender executable file. Double-click it to launch Blender, or right-click it and select Run to start the program. If your file manager does not allow you to run it by double-clicking, open a terminal, navigate to the folder, and type ./blender to launch it.

Alternatively, if you use Ubuntu, Fedora, or another distribution with a package manager, you can open a terminal and type the package manager command for your system — for Ubuntu, this is sudo apt install blender. The package manager will download and install Blender automatically, and you can then launch it from your applications menu.

What happens after you install Blender

When you open Blender for the first time, you will see a splash screen with options to create a new project or open an existing one. You do not need to create an account or sign in — Blender is free to use without registration. Click New Project or close the splash screen to start working.

Blender will open with a default scene containing a cube, a light, and a camera. This is a starting point you can modify or delete. The interface shows panels for modeling, shading, animation, and rendering on the left and right sides, with the main 3D view in the center. You can customize the layout later as you learn the program.

Updating Blender after installation

Blender releases new versions roughly every three months. You do not have to update immediately — older versions continue to work. To check for updates, open Blender and go to Help menu, then About Blender. This shows your current version number.

To update, visit blender.org and download the latest version using the same steps you used for the initial installation. On Windows and macOS, running the new installer will replace the old version. On Linux, you can either download a new pre-built file or run your package manager's update command. Your saved projects will remain unchanged and will open in the new version.

Troubleshooting common download and installation issues

If your download stops or fails, your internet connection may have dropped. Pause the download if your browser allows it, or start over. Blender.org is usually fast, so a full re-download should only take a few minutes.

If the installer will not run on Windows, check that you downloaded the .msi file and not a .zip file by mistake. Right-click the file and select Properties to see the full filename. If your antivirus software blocks the installer, this is usually a false alarm — the Blender installer is safe. You may need to temporarily disable the antivirus or add an exception for the installer file.

On macOS, if you see a message that Blender is damaged or cannot be opened, this usually means macOS is blocking an unsigned app. Go to System Settings, then Privacy & Security, scroll down to find Blender in the list of blocked apps, and click Allow. Then try opening Blender again.

If Blender launches but runs very slowly or crashes, your graphics card drivers may be outdated. Update your GPU drivers through your graphics card manufacturer's website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel). Restart your computer after updating and try Blender again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay for Blender or create an account?

No. Blender is completely free and does not require registration, login, or payment. You can download it and start using it immediately. The program is open-source, meaning the code is publicly available and maintained by volunteers and a small paid team.

Can I download Blender on a tablet or phone?

Blender does not have an official version for tablets or phones. It is designed for desktop and laptop computers with a keyboard and mouse. Some mobile apps claim to run Blender, but these are not official and may not work correctly. Stick to the desktop version from blender.org.

What if I download Blender from the Microsoft Store or Mac App Store instead of blender.org?

Blender is not officially distributed through app stores. Downloading from blender.org ensures you get the official version without any modifications or bundled software. If you see Blender in an app store, it may be outdated or unofficial.

How much disk space does Blender need after installation?

Blender itself takes up roughly 400 to 500 megabytes after installation. Your projects and saved files will take additional space depending on how many images, models, and render files you create. Most people find that 1 to 2 gigabytes of free space is comfortable for regular use.

Can I run Blender on a very old computer?

Blender can open on computers from 10 or more years ago, but it will run slowly. Modern versions of Blender work best on computers from the last five to seven years. If your computer is much older, you can try downloading an older version of Blender from the archive on blender.org, though support for very old versions is limited.