---
title: ".arw file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .arw file is a Sony Alpha Raw. The raw format written by Sony Alpha cameras. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/arw/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .arw files

**.arw file: Sony Alpha Raw**

The raw format written by Sony Alpha cameras.

## What opens a .arw file

- **Windows:** Photos (with the free Raw Image Extension), Sony Imaging Edge Desktop, Adobe Lightroom, RawTherapee
- **macOS:** Photos (built in), Preview (built in), Sony Imaging Edge Desktop, Adobe Lightroom
- **Linux:** darktable, RawTherapee

## What a .arw file is

ARW is Sony's raw format for the Alpha series, a TIFF-based container of unprocessed sensor data. Sony gives away Imaging Edge Desktop for developing them, and Lightroom, Capture One, darktable and RawTherapee all read ARW. Sony has several compression modes, including a lossy one, so file sizes from the same camera can vary considerably.

## Converting it

A .arw file is commonly converted to .jpg, .dng, .tiff or .png. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .arw
- **Full name:** Sony Alpha Raw
- **Category:** Images
- **MIME type:** image/x-sony-arw
- **Created by:** Sony
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

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

On Windows use Photos (with the free Raw Image Extension); on macOS use Photos (built in); on Linux use darktable. The raw format written by Sony Alpha cameras.

### What is a .arw file?

Sony Alpha Raw. ARW is Sony's raw format for the Alpha series, a TIFF-based container of unprocessed sensor data. Sony gives away Imaging Edge Desktop for developing them, and Lightroom, Capture One, darktable and RawTherapee all read ARW.

### Can I convert a .arw file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .jpg, .dng, .tiff or .png, 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/)
- [.ai — Adobe Illustrator Artwork](https://atoneplace.net/file/ai/)
- [.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/)

## Sources

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