---
title: ".pages file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .pages file is an Apple Pages Document. Apple's word processor format — Apple devices and iCloud only. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/pages/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .pages files

**.pages file: Apple Pages Document**

Apple's word processor format — Apple devices and iCloud only.

## What opens a .pages file

- **Windows:** iCloud.com Pages (in a browser)
- **macOS:** Pages (built in)
- **Linux:** iCloud.com Pages (in a browser)
- **In a browser:** iCloud.com Pages, Google Drive (converts on import)

## What a .pages file is

A .pages file is a zipped bundle of XML and media written by Pages on Mac, iPad and iPhone. No Windows or Linux application opens it properly; the supported route is iCloud.com, where a free Apple Account gives you Pages in the browser and an export to Word or PDF. If you are sending a document to a Windows user, export to .docx or .pdf from the Pages share menu first.

## Converting it

A .pages file is commonly converted to .docx, .pdf, .rtf, .epub or .txt. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .pages
- **Full name:** Apple Pages Document
- **Category:** Documents
- **MIME type:** application/vnd.apple.pages
- **Created by:** Apple
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

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

On Windows use iCloud.com Pages (in a browser); on macOS use Pages (built in); on Linux use iCloud.com Pages (in a browser). Apple's word processor format — Apple devices and iCloud only.

### What is a .pages file?

Apple Pages Document. A .pages file is a zipped bundle of XML and media written by Pages on Mac, iPad and iPhone. No Windows or Linux application opens it properly; the supported route is iCloud.com, where a free Apple Account gives you Pages in the browser and an export to Word or PDF.

### Can I convert a .pages file?

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

## Related pages

- [.pdf — Portable Document Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/pdf/)
- [.docx — Word Document (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/docx/)
- [.xlsx — Excel Workbook (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/xlsx/)
- [.pptx — PowerPoint Presentation (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/pptx/)
- [.txt — Plain Text File](https://atoneplace.net/file/txt/)
- [.doc — Word Document (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/doc/)
- [.xls — Excel Workbook (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/xls/)
- [.ppt — PowerPoint Presentation (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/ppt/)
- [.md — Markdown Document](https://atoneplace.net/file/md/)
- [.rtf — Rich Text Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/rtf/)
- [.odt — OpenDocument Text](https://atoneplace.net/file/odt/)
- [.eml — Email Message](https://atoneplace.net/file/eml/)

## Sources

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