---
title: ".ndjson file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .ndjson file is a Newline-Delimited JSON. The same idea as JSON Lines under a different name. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/ndjson/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .ndjson files

**.ndjson file: Newline-Delimited JSON**

The same idea as JSON Lines under a different name.

## What opens a .ndjson file

- **Windows:** Visual Studio Code, Notepad++, jq (command line)
- **macOS:** Visual Studio Code, jq (command line)
- **Linux:** Visual Studio Code, jq, Text Editor (built in)

## What a .ndjson file is

NDJSON and JSON Lines describe the same thing — one JSON value per line — and the two names came from parallel conventions that never fully merged. Streaming APIs, Elasticsearch bulk operations and log shippers all emit it. Treat any .ndjson file exactly as you would a .jsonl one.

## Converting it

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

## Details

- **Extension:** .ndjson
- **Full name:** Newline-Delimited JSON
- **Category:** Data
- **MIME type:** application/x-ndjson
- **Created by:** Community convention
- **Format:** Plain text

## Common questions

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

On Windows use Visual Studio Code; on macOS use Visual Studio Code; on Linux use Visual Studio Code. The same idea as JSON Lines under a different name.

### What is a .ndjson file?

Newline-Delimited JSON. NDJSON and JSON Lines describe the same thing — one JSON value per line — and the two names came from parallel conventions that never fully merged. Streaming APIs, Elasticsearch bulk operations and log shippers all emit it.

### Can I convert a .ndjson file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .json, .jsonl, .csv or .parquet, 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/)
- [.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/)

## Sources

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