---
title: ".pfx file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .pfx file is a PKCS #12 Certificate Bundle. A password-protected binary bundle of a certificate plus its private key. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/pfx/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .pfx files

**.pfx file: PKCS #12 Certificate Bundle**

A password-protected binary bundle of a certificate plus its private key.

## What opens a .pfx file

- **Windows:** Certificate Import Wizard (built in — double-click), OpenSSL, certutil
- **macOS:** Keychain Access (built in), OpenSSL
- **Linux:** openssl pkcs12 -in file.pfx, GNOME Seahorse

## What a .pfx file is

PFX, also seen as .p12, packages a certificate, its chain and the private key into one encrypted file so it can be moved between servers or imported into Windows. Because it contains the private key it is always password-protected and should be handled like a credential. Double-clicking on Windows launches the Certificate Import Wizard; openssl pkcs12 splits it back into PEM files.

## Converting it

A .pfx file is commonly converted to .pem, .p12, .crt or .key. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .pfx
- **Full name:** PKCS #12 Certificate Bundle
- **Category:** Data
- **MIME type:** application/x-pkcs12
- **Created by:** RSA / IETF (PKCS #12)
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

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

On Windows use Certificate Import Wizard (built in — double-click); on macOS use Keychain Access (built in); on Linux use openssl pkcs12 -in file.pfx. A password-protected binary bundle of a certificate plus its private key.

### What is a .pfx file?

PKCS #12 Certificate Bundle. PFX, also seen as .p12, packages a certificate, its chain and the private key into one encrypted file so it can be moved between servers or imported into Windows. Because it contains the private key it is always password-protected and should be handled like a credential.

### Can I convert a .pfx file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .pem, .p12, .crt or .key, 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/)