---
title: ".log file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .log file is a Log File. A plain-text record of what a program did, newest events usually at the bottom. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/log/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .log files

**.log file: Log File**

A plain-text record of what a program did, newest events usually at the bottom.

## What opens a .log file

- **Windows:** Notepad (built in), Visual Studio Code, Notepad++, Event Viewer (for Windows logs)
- **macOS:** Console (built in), TextEdit (built in), Visual Studio Code
- **Linux:** Text Editor (built in), less / tail -f, journalctl (for system logs)

## What a .log file is

Log files are ordinary text written by applications and operating systems as they run, and they are the first thing to read when something breaks. Any editor opens one, though active logs grow continuously and huge ones are better tailed than loaded. Note that logs frequently contain paths, usernames and occasionally tokens, so check before pasting one into a public forum.

## Converting it

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

## Details

- **Extension:** .log
- **Full name:** Log File
- **Category:** Data
- **MIME type:** text/plain
- **Created by:** Various
- **Format:** Plain text

## Common questions

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

On Windows use Notepad (built in); on macOS use Console (built in); on Linux use Text Editor (built in). A plain-text record of what a program did, newest events usually at the bottom.

### What is a .log file?

Log File. Log files are ordinary text written by applications and operating systems as they run, and they are the first thing to read when something breaks. Any editor opens one, though active logs grow continuously and huge ones are better tailed than loaded.

### Can I convert a .log file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .txt or .csv, 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/)
- [.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/)
- [.ics — iCalendar Event](https://atoneplace.net/file/ics/)
- [.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/)