---
title: ".caf file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .caf file is a Core Audio Format. Apple's flexible audio container, used by Logic, iOS apps and system sounds. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/caf/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .caf files

**.caf file: Core Audio Format**

Apple's flexible audio container, used by Logic, iOS apps and system sounds.

## What opens a .caf file

- **Windows:** VLC, Audacity
- **macOS:** QuickTime Player (built in), Music (built in), Logic Pro, VLC
- **Linux:** VLC, Audacity

## What a .caf file is

Apple created CAF to escape the 4 GB size limit of WAV and AIFF; it can hold almost any codec and files of essentially unlimited length. It appears in Logic Pro projects, iOS app bundles and macOS system sounds. macOS opens it natively, and on other platforms VLC or Audacity will play the common uncompressed variants, though a CAF wrapping an Apple-specific codec may not decode.

## Converting it

A .caf file is commonly converted to .wav, .mp3, .m4a or .aiff. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .caf
- **Full name:** Core Audio Format
- **Category:** Audio
- **MIME type:** audio/x-caf
- **Created by:** Apple
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

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

On Windows use VLC; on macOS use QuickTime Player (built in); on Linux use VLC. Apple's flexible audio container, used by Logic, iOS apps and system sounds.

### What is a .caf file?

Core Audio Format. Apple created CAF to escape the 4 GB size limit of WAV and AIFF; it can hold almost any codec and files of essentially unlimited length. It appears in Logic Pro projects, iOS app bundles and macOS system sounds.

### Can I convert a .caf file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .wav, .mp3, .m4a or .aiff, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.mp3 — MPEG-1 Audio Layer III](https://atoneplace.net/file/mp3/)
- [.wav — Waveform Audio File](https://atoneplace.net/file/wav/)
- [.m4a — MPEG-4 Audio](https://atoneplace.net/file/m4a/)
- [.flac — Free Lossless Audio Codec](https://atoneplace.net/file/flac/)
- [.aac — Advanced Audio Coding](https://atoneplace.net/file/aac/)
- [.ogg — Ogg Vorbis Audio](https://atoneplace.net/file/ogg/)
- [.opus — Opus Audio](https://atoneplace.net/file/opus/)
- [.mid — MIDI Sequence](https://atoneplace.net/file/mid/)
- [.m3u — Media Playlist](https://atoneplace.net/file/m3u/)
- [.wma — Windows Media Audio](https://atoneplace.net/file/wma/)
- [.aiff — Audio Interchange File Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/aiff/)
- [.m4b — MPEG-4 Audiobook](https://atoneplace.net/file/m4b/)

## Sources

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