Gaussian Z-matrix template file
File type: Various data file
A .gotmp file is a Gaussian Z-matrix template file used in computational chemistry.
It stores molecular geometry in Z-matrix form for use when preparing or processing Gaussian calculations.
File type category:
Various data file
Date updated: September 28, 2026
The .gotmp file extension belongs to the Gaussian computational chemistry software. Gaussian uses molecular structures and calculation settings to perform quantum-chemical calculations, and this file serves as a template or auxiliary file for molecular input.
A GOTMP file contains a molecule described with internal coordinates, such as bond lengths, bond angles and dihedral angles, rather than only Cartesian coordinates. It may be created or used while preparing Gaussian input and is not normally a final calculation-result file.
The extension is also used for some chemical modeller output files and represents a specialized scientific format. Gaussian is available for Windows, macOS and Linux or other Unix-like systems.
Use the Gaussian software or the Gaussian-related tool that created the file when the template is needed for a calculation. The file can also usually be inspected as text in a text editor, although editing its coordinate definitions may make it unusable as a Gaussian template.
If Gaussian is not installed, a text editor is the safest way to view the file's contents. A general chemistry application may not recognize the .gotmp file directly.
A GOTMP file is normally used within Gaussian rather than converted as an independent document.
When a different input format is required, the structure can be recreated or exported through Gaussian or a compatible molecular-structure tool as a Gaussian input file or another supported chemistry format. The result should be checked because template variables and calculation-specific information may not transfer.
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