---
title: ".cr2 file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .cr2 file is a Canon Raw Version 2. The raw photo format Canon DSLRs used from 2004 until CR3 replaced it. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/cr2/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .cr2 files

**.cr2 file: Canon Raw Version 2**

The raw photo format Canon DSLRs used from 2004 until CR3 replaced it.

## What opens a .cr2 file

- **Windows:** Photos (with the free Raw Image Extension), Canon Digital Photo Professional, Adobe Lightroom, RawTherapee
- **macOS:** Photos (built in), Preview (built in), Canon Digital Photo Professional, Adobe Lightroom
- **Linux:** darktable, RawTherapee, GIMP (via darktable plugin)

## What a .cr2 file is

CR2 is Canon's TIFF-based raw format, used across the EOS line from the 20D era until roughly 2018, when newer bodies moved to the smaller CR3. It holds the untouched sensor readout plus a JPEG preview, so a file viewer may show a thumbnail even when it cannot decode the real image. Canon ships Digital Photo Professional free with its cameras, and Lightroom, darktable and RawTherapee all read CR2.

## Converting it

A .cr2 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:** .cr2
- **Full name:** Canon Raw Version 2
- **Category:** Images
- **MIME type:** image/x-canon-cr2
- **Created by:** Canon
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

### How do I open a .cr2 file?

On Windows use Photos (with the free Raw Image Extension); on macOS use Photos (built in); on Linux use darktable. The raw photo format Canon DSLRs used from 2004 until CR3 replaced it.

### What is a .cr2 file?

Canon Raw Version 2. CR2 is Canon's TIFF-based raw format, used across the EOS line from the 20D era until roughly 2018, when newer bodies moved to the smaller CR3. It holds the untouched sensor readout plus a JPEG preview, so a file viewer may show a thumbnail even when it cannot decode the real image.

### Can I convert a .cr2 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/)