---
myst:
  html_meta:
    description: PyTorch C++ serialization API — saving and loading models and tensors.
    keywords: PyTorch, C++, serialization, save, load, checkpoint, model
---

# Serialization (torch::serialize)

The `torch::serialize` namespace provides utilities for saving and loading
model weights, tensors, and optimizer state. This enables checkpointing during
training and deployment of trained models.

**When to use torch::serialize:**

- When saving trained models to disk
- When implementing training checkpoints
- When loading pre-trained weights
- When transferring models between C++ and Python

**Basic usage:**

```cpp
#include <torch/torch.h>

// Save a model
auto model = std::make_shared<Net>();
// ... train the model ...
torch::save(model, "model.pt");

// Load a model
auto loaded_model = std::make_shared<Net>();
torch::load(loaded_model, "model.pt");

// Save and load tensors
torch::Tensor tensor = torch::randn({2, 3});
torch::save(tensor, "tensor.pt");

torch::Tensor loaded_tensor;
torch::load(loaded_tensor, "tensor.pt");
```

## Header Files

- `torch/csrc/api/include/torch/serialize.h` - Main serialization header
- `torch/csrc/api/include/torch/serialize/archive.h` - Archive classes
- `torch/csrc/api/include/torch/serialize/input-archive.h` - Input archive
- `torch/csrc/api/include/torch/serialize/output-archive.h` - Output archive

## Serialization Categories

```{toctree}
:maxdepth: 1

save_load
archives
checkpoints
```