---
title: ".ai file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .ai file is an Adobe Illustrator Artwork. Illustrator's vector working file, used for logos, icons and print artwork. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/ai/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .ai files

**.ai file: Adobe Illustrator Artwork**

Illustrator's vector working file, used for logos, icons and print artwork.

## What opens a .ai file

- **Windows:** Adobe Illustrator, Affinity Designer, Inkscape, CorelDRAW
- **macOS:** Adobe Illustrator, Affinity Designer, Inkscape, Preview (built in — preview only)
- **Linux:** Inkscape
- **In a browser:** Photopea

## What a .ai file is

AI is the native document of Adobe Illustrator. Modern versions are really a PDF with Illustrator-specific data attached, which is why renaming a "PDF Compatible" AI file to .pdf often previews fine — you lose all the editable structure. Inkscape and Affinity Designer import them; anything printed professionally usually wants the original AI or a PDF export.

## Converting it

A .ai file is commonly converted to .pdf, .svg, .eps, .png or .jpg. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .ai
- **Full name:** Adobe Illustrator Artwork
- **Category:** Images
- **MIME type:** application/postscript
- **Created by:** Adobe
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

### How do I open a .ai file?

On Windows use Adobe Illustrator; on macOS use Adobe Illustrator; on Linux use Inkscape. Illustrator's vector working file, used for logos, icons and print artwork.

### What is a .ai file?

Adobe Illustrator Artwork. AI is the native document of Adobe Illustrator. Modern versions are really a PDF with Illustrator-specific data attached, which is why renaming a "PDF Compatible" AI file to .pdf often previews fine — you lose all the editable structure.

### Can I convert a .ai file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .pdf, .svg, .eps, .png or .jpg, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.jpg — JPEG Image](https://atoneplace.net/file/jpg/)
- [.png — Portable Network Graphics](https://atoneplace.net/file/png/)
- [.jpeg — JPEG Image (four-letter form)](https://atoneplace.net/file/jpeg/)
- [.heic — High Efficiency Image Container](https://atoneplace.net/file/heic/)
- [.webp — WebP Image](https://atoneplace.net/file/webp/)
- [.gif — Graphics Interchange Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/gif/)
- [.psd — Adobe Photoshop Document](https://atoneplace.net/file/psd/)
- [.svg — Scalable Vector Graphics](https://atoneplace.net/file/svg/)
- [.avif — AV1 Image File Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/avif/)
- [.tiff — Tagged Image File Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/tiff/)
- [.raw — Camera Raw Image](https://atoneplace.net/file/raw/)
- [.ico — Windows Icon](https://atoneplace.net/file/ico/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)