---
title: ".torrent file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .torrent file is a BitTorrent Metainfo File. A few kilobytes of metadata describing what to download and from whom — not the content. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/torrent/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .torrent files

**.torrent file: BitTorrent Metainfo File**

A few kilobytes of metadata describing what to download and from whom — not the content.

## What opens a .torrent file

- **Windows:** qBittorrent, Transmission, Deluge
- **macOS:** Transmission, qBittorrent, Deluge
- **Linux:** Transmission (built in on many distros), qBittorrent, Deluge

## What a .torrent file is

A .torrent file lists the file names, sizes, piece checksums and tracker addresses for a download; the actual data comes from other peers. You open it with a BitTorrent client, which then does the transfer. Magnet links do the same job without a file. What you download through it is a separate question from the format, and plenty of torrent content is distributed illegally.

## Converting it

A .torrent file is commonly converted to .magnet. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .torrent
- **Full name:** BitTorrent Metainfo File
- **Category:** Data
- **MIME type:** application/x-bittorrent
- **Created by:** Bram Cohen / BitTorrent Inc.
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

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

On Windows use qBittorrent; on macOS use Transmission; on Linux use Transmission (built in on many distros). A few kilobytes of metadata describing what to download and from whom — not the content.

### What is a .torrent file?

BitTorrent Metainfo File. A .torrent file lists the file names, sizes, piece checksums and tracker addresses for a download; the actual data comes from other peers. You open it with a BitTorrent client, which then does the transfer.

### Can I convert a .torrent file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .magnet, 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/)
- [.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/)
- [.bin — Binary File](https://atoneplace.net/file/bin/)

## Sources

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