---
title: ".heif file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .heif file is a High Efficiency Image File Format. The container standard behind .heic, occasionally used as the extension itself. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/heif/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .heif files

**.heif file: High Efficiency Image File Format**

The container standard behind .heic, occasionally used as the extension itself.

## What opens a .heif file

- **Windows:** Photos (with HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store), IrfanView (with plugins), GIMP
- **macOS:** Preview (built in), Photos (built in)
- **Linux:** GIMP, heif-convert (libheif tools)

## What a .heif file is

HEIF is the ISO/IEC 23008-12 container; .heic is the name Apple gave it when the pictures inside are HEVC-encoded. A file ending .heif is the same kind of object and may hold HEVC or another codec. In practice you treat it exactly like .heic: fine on Apple devices, needs Microsoft Store codec extensions on Windows.

## Converting it

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

## Details

- **Extension:** .heif
- **Full name:** High Efficiency Image File Format
- **Category:** Images
- **MIME type:** image/heif
- **Created by:** MPEG (ISO/IEC 23008-12)
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

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

On Windows use Photos (with HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store); on macOS use Preview (built in); on Linux use GIMP. The container standard behind .heic, occasionally used as the extension itself.

### What is a .heif file?

High Efficiency Image File Format. HEIF is the ISO/IEC 23008-12 container; .heic is the name Apple gave it when the pictures inside are HEVC-encoded. A file ending .heif is the same kind of object and may hold HEVC or another codec.

### Can I convert a .heif file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .jpg, .png, .heic, .tiff or .webp, 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/)