OBJ files are among the most important file formats in 3D printing and 3D graphics applications. They’re often the preferred format for multicolor 3D printing and are widely used as a neutral interchange format for 3D models.
As diversity in the 3D digital world broadens, so do potential sources for information and material. Sometimes the amount of content can be overwhelming. The search for your perfect file can leave you frustrated with dead ends.
OBJ files are no exception, so we’ve done some of the heavy lifting for you. Here, we’ve gathered 14 of the best sources for free OBJ files, but most of these sites offer downloads in other formats, too.
Getting to the Source
Many database websites that are geared toward 3D modeling, animation, and design require a user account to download files or comment on a particular build. Fortunately, searches can typically be done account-free, so no need to add your email to another list if you don’t find what you’re looking for. Content creators also appreciate feedback on their models, so if you find one you love be sure to give them a shout-out!
Now, let’s dive into how we picked the best sites:
- Wide range of files: Each of these sources have at least around 500 models, which should increase the chance that its library has content you’re looking for.
- Content and quality: Most sources are geared toward the creative hobbyist, while others cater to drafting and design. Your unique project will guide some of the search, but keep an open mind with different options. You may find a gem where you least expect it.
- Easy-to-use websites: While the sites will have differing layouts and navigation, it’s important to know whether the search options are easy to filter, how well the content is laid out, and where that download button can be found.
So, now that we know what we’re looking for, let’s see some sites!
Sketchfab
Sketchfab is an old friend of 3D modelers, creatives, and 3D printing enthusiasts. For more than 10 years it has been hoarding 3D models in a variety of formats for any application. While there’s no way to filter the files by format, a sizeable amount of models have OBJ versions to download. Try adding “obj” to your search words to narrow down your results.
Its current selection of assets is huge, with free and paid 3D models with comparable quality and diversity. Be aware, though, that even within the website’s free 3D model section, you will find a few paid models listed as well.
- Selection: 4,000,000+ 3D models
- Content and quality: The quality of the 3D model selection is impressive and suitable for a wide variety of applications including 3D animation, virtual reality, and 3D printing.
- Ease of use: The search bar is incredibly precise and filtering options for categories, publish date, and licensing types provide additional support to finding suitable 3D models. The download process is straightforward though it requires a Sketchfab account.
GrabCAD Community
The GrabCAD Community has the most impressive free library so far, with over five million free models available. Professional-quality engineering models dominate the selection.
Most of the designs are modern in flavor, with a few Roman war chariots thrown in. Don’t count out other creative entries like this Road Warrior mask by Nevalliss. This is an excellent resource for game designers, interior decorators, and gadget creators.
- Selection: 5,400,000+ free models
- Content and quality: Models range from amateur to professional, with a large proportion for engineering, automotive, architecture, and interior design.
- Ease of use: Filter under “Software” for “OBJ” and change the timeline to “All time” to maximize search results. To download your file, scroll below the model description to find a list of available file formats, click on “obj”, and follow the prompts!
Open3Dmodel
Open3Dmodel is a popular choice for hassle-free 3D model hunting. It has a strong selection of models while not requiring any kind of registration to download them. The website features a search bar on the top right but you can also use its categorization scheme.
You also sort Open3Dmodel’s vast library first by file format (OBJ) and then choose a subcategory like Architecture, Animal, and Character. Be aware that to download models, you first have to click the “Download Link” in bold text, which brings you to a second page where you need to look just below the ad boxes to find the light gray “Download” in order to finally get the files.
- Selection: 17,000+ free OBJ models
- Content and quality: The overall quality of OBJ models varies a lot as they come from various sources. Still, the model page contains a preview image and additional information so you can better consider it before downloading.
- Ease of use: You can sort models by categories, subcategories, and file format. The search bar works well but the results are difficult to visualize. The download link is rather hidden but no registration is required.
TurboSquid
On TurboSquid, the website layout is attractive, though there are a few hoops to jump through when you find your perfect free file. See something with a price tag that you can’t live without? There are plenty of those to choose from, and the intermixed ads for paid models can at times distract from the free selection.
The “Download” button is located on the bottom right of the preview images on each model. If many file options are available, expand to see the OBJ format and click on the file name to download a compressed version. All the models you’ve selected for download will then appear in your account under the “Downloads” option. Extract and enjoy!
- Selection: 22,000+ free OBJ models
- Content and quality: From amateur to professional and of varying content, many models fall under the gaming and interior design scope.
- Ease of use: The search feature works well when the user has a correct input order (search keywords then selection filters). TurboSquid provides presorted categories, though clicking on these will reset your search filters. Just remember your search criteria, because after you go through the registration or login prompts, you’ll be returned to the main page.
Artec3D
Artec3D is a 3D scanner manufacturer headquartered in Luxembourg. The company is most known for its handheld and portable 3D scanner lines that are suitable for a wide variety of applications.
Artec3D maintains a small 3D model library to showcase the capabilities of its 3D scanning products. Lucky for us, there is a lot of interesting stuff available for free, ranging from mechanical assemblies like engines to educational models like 3D scanned skulls and animals.
The selection of OBJ models isn’t as extensive as other websites in this list, with less than 500 models currently available. Yet, we opted to include Artec3D in this list given the high-quality models and diversity of content that should appeal to many users.
- Selection: Around 400 free OBJ models
- Content and quality: All 3D models were 3D scanned from real-life objects, plenty of them having the original colors embedded within the files. The content is focused on medical models, science, education, art, and industrial design.
- Ease of use: The models can be sorted by category, file format, and the 3D scanner device used to capture the object. Each model comes with detailed information about the scanning process and the download process is as simple as it gets.
CGTrader
Immerse yourself in a digital world with CGTrader. There is a huge number of free photorealistic and professional models available for virtual or augmented reality, games, and 3D architecture visualization or animation.
Go ahead and decorate your dream house model, create a landscape, and populate it with all ranges of characters and vehicles. For a model you want, just click on the “Free download” button and follow the prompts, though you’ll need to register first.
- Selection: 60,000+ free OBJ models
- Content and quality: Models range from amateur to professional, and there’s a large variety.
- Ease of use: The search feature works well when the user has a correct input order (search keywords then selection filters). You’ll see your active search filters in red bubbles just above the model list.
3dsky
3dsky is a 3D model repository focused on interior design and virtual staging. This means that the website’s large library is comprised mostly of furniture and home decor items, many of them from the actual manufacturer in real life.
While paid models can be accessed with an affordable subscription, the free section is extensive and offers high-quality 3D models that can be filtered by file format. The OBJ selection of free models is quite large and the download process is fairly easy once an account has been set up.
- Selection: 50,000+ free OBJ models
- Content and quality: The content is focused on architectural and virtual staging applications, with a considerable amount of high quality 3D models of real-life products made available by their own companies.
- Ease of use: The website is easy to navigate and the layout is clean. Models can be sorted by free or pro designs, various categories, format, product style (such as Classic or Modern), and rendering software. The download of free models requires registration.
3DLancer
3DLancer boasts a great variety of interior design content. A few fantasy elements, like this Fairy Tower, are peppered in for the 3D printing and gaming enthusiast. The catalog welcomes user input to improve search capabilities, so go ahead and become a community contributor.
From our experience, if you check the file format “.obj” box when you first visit the site, it should remain selected throughout different searches if you stay in the same window. Simply click the green download button at the lower left of the model preview when you find the one you’ve always been searching for.
- Selection: 46,000+ free models with about 900 available in OBJ format
- Content and quality: While models range from amateur to professional in terms of quality, most are geared toward interior design (furniture, fixtures, etc.).
- Ease of use: This is another order of operations search engine, so tread carefully. Make sure the “Free” checkbox at the top of the screen is checked, while the “Paid” is unchecked.
3DExport
Plenty of free fun gaming elements in OBJ format can be found at 3DExport. Ready to go prehistoric? Check out these triceratops and T-rex models, then set the scene for an epic dinosaur battle.
This site is a good search engine, though the advanced search unfortunately doesn’t contain the Wavefront (.obj) option. Just make sure the filter is on when you return to the search results if you choose to go this route. A yellow “Free products only” and “obj” filter option will display just under the filter drop-downs if you’ve got it all set up correctly.
- Selection: 5,000+ free OBJ models
- Content and quality: Amateur to professional, with most of the character models of the cartoon variety, while some props and landscape elements border on realism.
- Ease of use: While the search is good, downloading isn’t quite as straightforward as it seems. You need to hover over the download button (to the right of the model preview) to see the OBJ option, and click. When the links under the creator’s name are selected, it jumps you back to the previous search page rather than starting a download, so pay attention!
3D CAD Browser
3D CAD Browser is a basic website with a moderate selection of free files. Most models are themed toward engineering and design with potential for gamers and 3D prints. Give it a browse for some simple models that won’t make your graphics card pop and sizzle.
This website requires a bit more information than the standard email address and password to set up a user account. We recommend searching first, and then signing up if you find what you’re looking for.
- Selection: 800+ free models (random sampling showed all had an OBJ option, though newer files may not have the format available yet for download)
- Content and quality: There are more low-poly models than professional quality in the free options, but it makes a good selection for the creative hobbyist.
- Ease of use: When searching by keyword, use the drop-down menu to display “Free only” models. You’ll need an account to download models.
Smithsonian
3D models from the Smithsonian? You bet! This is an interesting source for 3D models, and invaluable when you’re looking for historically or anatomically-accurate representations.
Searching for content can be more cumbersome since the naming of each model is specific to its display from the museum, but the journey will be just as fascinating as the destination! You can always check out the “Explore” section to get search ideas.
- Selection: 2,500+ free models, with most available in OBJ format
- Content and quality: All appear to be high-quality models obtained from 3D scanning of real objects and enhanced by professionals.
- Ease of use: The download button is hiding under the 3D model image, and each format can be selected from there. This site doesn’t require a user account for download.
Cadnav
Don’t be fooled by Cadnav‘s clean and simple interface: this website shelters a considerable library of 3D models, textures, and materials for Vray rendering. The models can be filtered by format with the options bar on the right-hand side, so you can go straight to the OBJ files and waste no time.
The navigability is fluid but the search bar could be more useful. Still, each and every model is free to download, and surprisingly enough, the website does not include ads within the search results!
- Selection: 50,000+ free models, most of them with an OBJ option
- Content and quality: A remarkable variety of models – from office equipment to military weapons – ranging in quality and style.
- Ease of use: Every model listed is free to download, and you can use the filtering tools to sort between categories and file formats. The download button for each model is in plain view.
Free3D
Free3D has a great selection with the minor annoyance of paid models interspersed in the free selection. Scroll through the model categories on the welcome page to get an idea of their offerings, or click the “Obj Models” link at the top to go straight to the desired file format. If you decide to go the category route first, you can narrow your selection by clicking the “obj” tag to filter at the top of the screen.
However, a warning: Some models are for a more mature audience (such as anatomical human models and sculpture), so approach with caution if you want to avoid mature content.
- Selection: 10,000+ free OBJ models
- Content and quality: With models ranging from amateur to professional with a wide variety of content, there’s something for just about everyone here.
- Ease of use: This site has good search capability with an OBJ filter. To download, just click the green “Download” button on the right side of the model page. And here’s a plus: There’s no registration needed for free models!
ShareCG
ShareCG has a vast swath of content with a lot of unique options. Most of the design elements we’ve seen so far are modern and would look out of place in a lot of fantasy settings. Not the case here!
Though the website may be dated, the administrators are active with updates and announcements. The model thumbnails are smaller than what we’ve encountered, and some users may have mixed feelings about the older website design. In any case, the search platform is effective and the results may surprise you.
- Selection: 5,000+ free OBJ models
- Content and quality: There are more low-poly models than professional, with a unique selection for gamers and printing creatives.
- Ease of use: Click the “Shared” option under the “For Sale” filter to find the free models. Check the “OBJ” filter under “Format” and search away! You’ll need to register to download files, and links for both are located under the model preview.
Honorable Mentions
Still not finding your ideal OBJ and want some other options? While most 3D-printer-ready files come standard in STL format, don’t let that stop you! Check out these excellent STL file sources and then take a look at our article on steps for STL to OBJ conversion.
The below sources’ selections of OBJs aren’t as comprehensive, but if 3D printing’s your aim, they have a good range of STLs. The advantage of these sites is that many of the models have been tested and vetted by the 3D printing community:
License: The text of "Free OBJ Models/Files: The Best Sites" by All3DP Pro is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.