Files with ani extension are used for file format that contains Windows animated cursors which are used in many programs for icons.

There are 4 other file types using
the ANI file extension!

empty icon.ani - Generic animation

ani icon.ani - NeroMix data

empty icon.ani - Painkiller Overdose game data

empty icon.ani - Transport Fever game animation parameters

ANI file extension - Animated cursor

What is ani file? How to open ani files?

File type specification:

Graphics file type icon Graphics file type

ani file icon: ani filetype icon

File extension ani is traditionally and mostly used for animated mouse cursors in Windows operating system environment.

The ani file is a structured format (Microsoft RIFF) that contains information about the animation (author & title, steps, length & order of each step...) followed by several frames stored in the icon format.

Each frame/step in an animated cursor is displayed during a short time (delay or length): this is the frame timing. This time is measured in jiffies; 1 jiffy=1/60th of a second~16,66ms.

If your ani files are correctly associated, you can preview them using Windows Explorer: just hit an animated cursor file and select the File Properties shell menu command. Windows will then display the animated cursor on the Properties tab.

Updated: November 20, 2023

The default software associated to open ani file:

Microsoft Windows icon

Microsoft Corporation logoMicrosoft Windows  Microsoft Windows software

Company or developer:
Microsoft Corporation

A family of operating systems developed by the Microsoft Corp. The first Windows was released in 1985 as a GUI add-on to MS-DOS. MS-DOS based Windows versions were developed to 2000, when was released the last version called Windows ME. Windows based on NT core started in 1993. Windows NT family are developed to these days, the latest version is called Microsoft Windows 11.

CursorWorkshop icon

Axialis Software logoCursorWorkshop  Microsoft Windows software

Company or developer:
Axialis Software

Axialis CursorWorkshop is a software used for making high quality of both static and animated cursors for Microsoft Windows, Windows applications and websites.

 

Help how to open:

You can preview .ani files Windows Explorer. But you can also open it in some image editors, such as XnView. See suggested software on this page. Animated coursors can be created in specialized software for this purpose.

How to convert:

Use any compatible tools to export .ani files to other formats.

Find conversions from ani file:

ani to bmp

ani to cur

ani to gif

ani to ico

ani to jpeg

ani to jpg

ani to png

Find converter to ani file type:

cur to ani

gif to ani

ico to ani

jpeg to ani

jpg to ani

png to ani

rcu to ani

File identification strings:

HEX code: 52 49 46 46
ASCII code: RIFF

List of software applications associated to the .ani file extension

Recommended software programs are sorted by OS platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android etc.)
and possible program actions that can be done with the file: like open ani file, edit ani file, convert ani file, view ani file, play ani file etc. (if exist software for corresponding action in File-Extensions.org's database).

Hint:
Click on the tab below to simply browse between the application actions, to quickly get a list of recommended software, which is able to perform the specified software action, such as opening, editing or converting ani files.

Software that open ani file - Animated cursor

Programs supporting the exension ani on the main platforms Windows, Mac, Linux or mobile. Click on the link to get more information about listed programs for open ani file action.

Microsoft Windows:

Main software associated with ani file by default:
CursorWorkshop small icon CursorWorkshop
Other suggested software:
IconForge
Revelation Natural Art

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