---
title: ".dcm file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .dcm file is a DICOM Medical Image. The scan format hospitals use for X-rays, CT, MRI and ultrasound. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/dcm/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .dcm files

**.dcm file: DICOM Medical Image**

The scan format hospitals use for X-rays, CT, MRI and ultrasound.

## What opens a .dcm file

- **Windows:** MicroDicom, Weasis, 3D Slicer, RadiAnt DICOM Viewer
- **macOS:** Horos, Weasis, 3D Slicer
- **Linux:** Weasis, 3D Slicer, Ginkgo CADx

## What a .dcm file is

DICOM is both an image format and a network standard, maintained by NEMA, and a .dcm file carries the pixel data plus patient and study metadata. Discs handed out by radiology departments usually include a bundled viewer, but it is often Windows-only and dated. Free cross-platform viewers such as Weasis and 3D Slicer read them properly, and note that the file contains identifying patient details in plain fields.

## Converting it

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

## Details

- **Extension:** .dcm
- **Full name:** DICOM Medical Image
- **Category:** Images
- **MIME type:** application/dicom
- **Created by:** NEMA / DICOM Standards Committee
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

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

On Windows use MicroDicom; on macOS use Horos; on Linux use Weasis. The scan format hospitals use for X-rays, CT, MRI and ultrasound.

### What is a .dcm file?

DICOM Medical Image. DICOM is both an image format and a network standard, maintained by NEMA, and a .dcm file carries the pixel data plus patient and study metadata. Discs handed out by radiology departments usually include a bundled viewer, but it is often Windows-only and dated.

### Can I convert a .dcm file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .jpg, .png, .tiff, .pdf or .nifti, 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/)