Is it safe to delete OpenAI Whisper models?
Speech recognition models downloaded by OpenAI's open-source Whisper package, one file per model size.
Usually safe
It can be recreated, but it takes a download, a reinstall or the tool's own command.
~/
What it is
The Whisper Python package downloads each model the first time you use it, from tiny to large, and keeps it here so it loads without downloading again. Larger models take more space, and every size you've used stays until it's removed.
If it's removed
The next transcription with a removed model downloads it again first.
How it's removed
Moved to the Trash, where you can restore it.
The free analyzer finds it and explains it. Removing it is Pro, after a review sheet that lists every move and command. It's never checked for you: it waits for your choice.
Sources
Last checked on 26 Sep 2026. Every entry is written and checked by hand; the app and the command-line tool use the same words.