---
title: ".cfg file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .cfg file is a Configuration File. A settings file whose exact syntax depends entirely on the program that reads it. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/cfg/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .cfg files

**.cfg file: Configuration File**

A settings file whose exact syntax depends entirely on the program that reads it.

## What opens a .cfg file

- **Windows:** Notepad (built in), Visual Studio Code, Notepad++
- **macOS:** TextEdit (built in), Visual Studio Code
- **Linux:** Text Editor (built in), Visual Studio Code, nano

## What a .cfg file is

CFG is a generic extension for configuration, usually plain text in INI-like or a program-specific syntax — game settings, server configs and application preferences all use it. Open one in a text editor to see which. A few programs write binary .cfg files, in which case the text will be unreadable and only that application can change them.

## Converting it

A .cfg file is commonly converted to .ini, .json or .txt. It is a plain text format, so any text editor can open and edit it directly.

## Details

- **Extension:** .cfg
- **Full name:** Configuration File
- **Category:** Data
- **MIME type:** text/plain
- **Created by:** Various
- **Format:** Plain text

## Common questions

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

On Windows use Notepad (built in); on macOS use TextEdit (built in); on Linux use Text Editor (built in). A settings file whose exact syntax depends entirely on the program that reads it.

### What is a .cfg file?

Configuration File. CFG is a generic extension for configuration, usually plain text in INI-like or a program-specific syntax — game settings, server configs and application preferences all use it. Open one in a text editor to see which.

### Can I convert a .cfg file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .ini, .json or .txt, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.csv — Comma-Separated Values](https://atoneplace.net/file/csv/)
- [.json — JavaScript Object Notation](https://atoneplace.net/file/json/)
- [.xml — Extensible Markup Language](https://atoneplace.net/file/xml/)
- [.yaml — YAML Data File](https://atoneplace.net/file/yaml/)
- [.log — Log File](https://atoneplace.net/file/log/)
- [.torrent — BitTorrent Metainfo File](https://atoneplace.net/file/torrent/)
- [.dat — Generic Data File](https://atoneplace.net/file/dat/)
- [.vcf — vCard Contact File](https://atoneplace.net/file/vcf/)
- [.sql — SQL Script](https://atoneplace.net/file/sql/)
- [.ics — iCalendar Event](https://atoneplace.net/file/ics/)
- [.sqlite — SQLite Database](https://atoneplace.net/file/sqlite/)
- [.db — Generic Database File](https://atoneplace.net/file/db/)

## Sources

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