---
title: ".eml file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .eml file is an Email Message. A single saved email, headers and all, in the standard internet message format. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/eml/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .eml files

**.eml file: Email Message**

A single saved email, headers and all, in the standard internet message format.

## What opens a .eml file

- **Windows:** Microsoft Outlook (built in on Windows 11), Mozilla Thunderbird, Notepad (built in — raw source)
- **macOS:** Mail (built in), Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird
- **Linux:** Mozilla Thunderbird, Evolution, Text Editor (built in — raw source)

## What a .eml file is

EML is a plain-text file in RFC 5322 format: the headers, the body and any attachments encoded inline. Nearly every mail client can open one, which makes it the portable way to archive or forward a message with its original headers intact. Those headers are also why EML is what you send to an IT team investigating a phishing report.

## Converting it

A .eml file is commonly converted to .pdf, .msg, .html or .txt. It is a plain text format, so any text editor can open and edit it directly.

## Details

- **Extension:** .eml
- **Full name:** Email Message
- **Category:** Documents
- **MIME type:** message/rfc822
- **Created by:** IETF (RFC 5322)
- **Format:** Plain text

## Common questions

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

On Windows use Microsoft Outlook (built in on Windows 11); on macOS use Mail (built in); on Linux use Mozilla Thunderbird. A single saved email, headers and all, in the standard internet message format.

### What is a .eml file?

Email Message. EML is a plain-text file in RFC 5322 format: the headers, the body and any attachments encoded inline. Nearly every mail client can open one, which makes it the portable way to archive or forward a message with its original headers intact.

### Can I convert a .eml file?

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

## Related pages

- [.pdf — Portable Document Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/pdf/)
- [.docx — Word Document (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/docx/)
- [.xlsx — Excel Workbook (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/xlsx/)
- [.pptx — PowerPoint Presentation (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/pptx/)
- [.txt — Plain Text File](https://atoneplace.net/file/txt/)
- [.doc — Word Document (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/doc/)
- [.xls — Excel Workbook (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/xls/)
- [.ppt — PowerPoint Presentation (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/ppt/)
- [.md — Markdown Document](https://atoneplace.net/file/md/)
- [.rtf — Rich Text Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/rtf/)
- [.pages — Apple Pages Document](https://atoneplace.net/file/pages/)
- [.odt — OpenDocument Text](https://atoneplace.net/file/odt/)

## Sources

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