Linux perf data
File type: Various data file
A perf file is a binary data file produced by the Linux perf performance analysis tool. It contains recorded performance events and samples from a Linux system.
The perf file extension identifies Linux perf data, although perf commonly uses the name perf.data for its output file.
File type category:
Various data file
Date updated: October 25, 2026
Linux perf is a performance analysis and profiling tool developed as part of the Linux kernel project. It is included with Linux 2.6 and later and is available on Linux systems for examining processor, kernel and application activity. Linux is an operating system available for various computer platforms, developed by Linus Torvalds.
A perf file stores the binary recording created by commands such as perf record. Depending on the recording options, it can contain sampled call stacks, hardware and software performance events, process information and other data used for analysis.
The file is read by other perf commands, including perf report and perf script. The format remains in use with current Linux perf toolsets, although the usual output name is perf.data and a .perf name is generally a custom filename.
Open the file on a Linux system with the perf tool. For example, perf report -i filename.perf displays an interactive report, while perf script -i filename.perf prints the recorded events and samples.
The installed perf tool should be compatible with the Linux kernel and recording that produced the file. A general-purpose text editor or media application cannot interpret this binary data.
A Linux perf data file is not normally converted to another file format. Use perf report to view summarized results or perf script to export the recording as readable text for further processing.
Software apps that create perf files:
Linux/Unix
Software applications that handle other tasks involving perf files:
Linux/Unix
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