---
title: ".tmp file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .tmp file is a Temporary File. Working scratch data a program left behind, usually safe to delete. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/tmp/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .tmp files

**.tmp file: Temporary File**

Working scratch data a program left behind, usually safe to delete.

## What opens a .tmp file

- **Windows:** Usually safe to delete, Notepad (built in — to check if it is text)
- **macOS:** Usually safe to delete, TextEdit (built in — to check)
- **Linux:** Usually safe to delete, file (to identify it)

## What a .tmp file is

Applications write .tmp files while saving, printing or installing, and normally delete them when finished; the ones that survive are leftovers from a crash or a forced quit. They are not meant to be opened and rarely contain anything recoverable, though Office temp files beginning with ~$ occasionally hold an unsaved draft. Windows Disk Cleanup and Storage Sense remove them safely once the program that made them has closed.

## Details

- **Extension:** .tmp
- **Full name:** Temporary File
- **Category:** Data
- **Created by:** Various
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

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

On Windows use Usually safe to delete; on macOS use Usually safe to delete; on Linux use Usually safe to delete. Working scratch data a program left behind, usually safe to delete.

### What is a .tmp file?

Temporary File. Applications write .tmp files while saving, printing or installing, and normally delete them when finished; the ones that survive are leftovers from a crash or a forced quit. They are not meant to be opened and rarely contain anything recoverable, though Office temp files beginning with ~$ occasionally hold an unsaved draft.

## 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/)