---
title: ".ics file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .ics file is an iCalendar Event. A calendar invitation or event feed in a plain-text standard format. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/ics/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .ics files

**.ics file: iCalendar Event**

A calendar invitation or event feed in a plain-text standard format.

## What opens a .ics file

- **Windows:** Outlook (built in on Windows 11), Calendar apps, Notepad (built in — raw text)
- **macOS:** Calendar (built in), Microsoft Outlook, TextEdit (built in — raw text)
- **Linux:** GNOME Calendar, Evolution, Thunderbird
- **In a browser:** Google Calendar

## What a .ics file is

ICS is the iCalendar format defined in RFC 5545, used for the meeting invitations attached to emails and for subscribable calendar feeds. Double-clicking one adds the event to your default calendar app on any platform. A URL ending in .ics is usually a live feed you subscribe to rather than a file you download once.

## Converting it

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

## Details

- **Extension:** .ics
- **Full name:** iCalendar Event
- **Category:** Data
- **MIME type:** text/calendar
- **Created by:** IETF (RFC 5545)
- **Format:** Plain text

## Common questions

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

On Windows use Outlook (built in on Windows 11); on macOS use Calendar (built in); on Linux use GNOME Calendar. A calendar invitation or event feed in a plain-text standard format.

### What is a .ics file?

iCalendar Event. ICS is the iCalendar format defined in RFC 5545, used for the meeting invitations attached to emails and for subscribable calendar feeds. Double-clicking one adds the event to your default calendar app on any platform.

### Can I convert a .ics file?

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

## Related pages

- [.csv — Comma-Separated Values](https://atoneplace.net/file/csv/)
- [.json — JavaScript Object Notation](https://atoneplace.net/file/json/)
- [.xml — Extensible Markup Language](https://atoneplace.net/file/xml/)
- [.yaml — YAML Data File](https://atoneplace.net/file/yaml/)
- [.log — Log File](https://atoneplace.net/file/log/)
- [.torrent — BitTorrent Metainfo File](https://atoneplace.net/file/torrent/)
- [.dat — Generic Data File](https://atoneplace.net/file/dat/)
- [.vcf — vCard Contact File](https://atoneplace.net/file/vcf/)
- [.sql — SQL Script](https://atoneplace.net/file/sql/)
- [.sqlite — SQLite Database](https://atoneplace.net/file/sqlite/)
- [.db — Generic Database File](https://atoneplace.net/file/db/)
- [.bin — Binary File](https://atoneplace.net/file/bin/)

## Sources

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