---
title: ".eps file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .eps file is an Encapsulated PostScript. A self-contained PostScript drawing, still requested by printers and sign makers. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/eps/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .eps files

**.eps file: Encapsulated PostScript**

A self-contained PostScript drawing, still requested by printers and sign makers.

## What opens a .eps file

- **Windows:** Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, CorelDRAW, GIMP (rasterises via Ghostscript)
- **macOS:** Preview (built in — converts to PDF), Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape
- **Linux:** Inkscape, Okular / Evince (via Ghostscript), GIMP

## What a .eps file is

EPS wraps a single PostScript graphic with a bounding box so page-layout software can place it. It predates PDF and has been officially superseded by it, but print shops, embroidery services and clipart libraries still ask for EPS. The body is plain PostScript text, though many files also carry a small binary preview image at the front.

## Converting it

A .eps file is commonly converted to .pdf, .svg, .ai, .png or .jpg. It is a plain text format, so any text editor can open and edit it directly.

## Details

- **Extension:** .eps
- **Full name:** Encapsulated PostScript
- **Category:** Images
- **MIME type:** application/postscript
- **Created by:** Adobe
- **Format:** Plain text

## Common questions

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

On Windows use Adobe Illustrator; on macOS use Preview (built in — converts to PDF); on Linux use Inkscape. A self-contained PostScript drawing, still requested by printers and sign makers.

### What is a .eps file?

Encapsulated PostScript. EPS wraps a single PostScript graphic with a bounding box so page-layout software can place it. It predates PDF and has been officially superseded by it, but print shops, embroidery services and clipart libraries still ask for EPS.

### Can I convert a .eps file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .pdf, .svg, .ai, .png or .jpg, 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/)