---
title: ".blend file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .blend file is a Blender Project. Blender's own project file, holding an entire scene, its animation and its settings. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/blend/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .blend files

**.blend file: Blender Project**

Blender's own project file, holding an entire scene, its animation and its settings.

## What opens a .blend file

- **Windows:** Blender
- **macOS:** Blender
- **Linux:** Blender

## What a .blend file is

A .blend file stores everything about a Blender project — objects, materials, animation, render settings, even the window layout — in one file. Only Blender opens it, and while Blender reads files from older versions, a file saved in a newer release may not open in an older one. Export to FBX, OBJ or glTF to hand a model to another program.

## Converting it

A .blend file is commonly converted to .fbx, .obj, .gltf, .stl or .usdz. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .blend
- **Full name:** Blender Project
- **Category:** 3D and CAD
- **Created by:** Blender Foundation
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

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

On Windows use Blender; on macOS use Blender; on Linux use Blender. Blender's own project file, holding an entire scene, its animation and its settings.

### What is a .blend file?

Blender Project. A .blend file stores everything about a Blender project — objects, materials, animation, render settings, even the window layout — in one file. Only Blender opens it, and while Blender reads files from older versions, a file saved in a newer release may not open in an older one.

### Can I convert a .blend file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .fbx, .obj, .gltf, .stl or .usdz, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.stl — Stereolithography Model](https://atoneplace.net/file/stl/)
- [.obj — Wavefront OBJ Model](https://atoneplace.net/file/obj/)
- [.fbx — Filmbox 3D Scene](https://atoneplace.net/file/fbx/)
- [.gcode — G-code Toolpath](https://atoneplace.net/file/gcode/)
- [.3mf — 3D Manufacturing Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/3mf/)
- [.3ds — 3D Studio Model](https://atoneplace.net/file/3ds/)

## Sources

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