---
title: ".nef file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .nef file is a Nikon Electronic Format. Nikon's raw photo format, written by every Nikon DSLR and mirrorless camera. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/nef/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .nef files

**.nef file: Nikon Electronic Format**

Nikon's raw photo format, written by every Nikon DSLR and mirrorless camera.

## What opens a .nef file

- **Windows:** Photos (with the free Raw Image Extension), Nikon NX Studio, Adobe Lightroom, RawTherapee
- **macOS:** Photos (built in), Preview (built in), Nikon NX Studio, Adobe Lightroom
- **Linux:** darktable, RawTherapee, GIMP (via darktable plugin)

## What a .nef file is

NEF holds the sensor data from a Nikon camera along with the shooting settings, which is why the same file can look different in Nikon's own software than in Lightroom — the manufacturer applies its picture profile, others do not. Nikon distributes NX Studio free. Support in third-party editors lags new camera launches by a few weeks, so converting to DNG is the usual workaround for a brand-new body.

## Converting it

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

## Details

- **Extension:** .nef
- **Full name:** Nikon Electronic Format
- **Category:** Images
- **MIME type:** image/x-nikon-nef
- **Created by:** Nikon
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

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

On Windows use Photos (with the free Raw Image Extension); on macOS use Photos (built in); on Linux use darktable. Nikon's raw photo format, written by every Nikon DSLR and mirrorless camera.

### What is a .nef file?

Nikon Electronic Format. NEF holds the sensor data from a Nikon camera along with the shooting settings, which is why the same file can look different in Nikon's own software than in Lightroom — the manufacturer applies its picture profile, others do not. Nikon distributes NX Studio free.

### Can I convert a .nef file?

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