How to Set Up Proxies in Wget

export https_proxy="http://user:pass@host:port"
export http_proxy="http://user:pass@host:port"

wget https://httpbin.org/ip -O -

# Or inline without env vars:
wget -e use_proxy=yes \
     --proxy-user=user --proxy-password=pass \
     -e https_proxy=host:port https://httpbin.org/ip -O -

Wget reads the http_proxy and https_proxy environment variables, which is the simplest way to route a one-off download through an authenticated proxy. When you cannot set env vars, pass --proxy-user and --proxy-password alongside -e https_proxy=host:port on the command line. Wget only speaks HTTP/HTTPS proxies (no SOCKS), so pair it with a tool like proxychains if you need a SOCKS5 exit for rotation.

Wget works cleanly with rotating backconnect endpoints — point it at a single gateway host and the provider rotates the exit IP for you.

Our #1 pick is a sponsored partner. Remaining providers are ranked editorially by rating and value.