There are 9 other file types using
the RAW file extension!

raw icon.raw - RAW audio format

empty icon.raw - Nimbus 7 data

empty icon.raw - RAW disk image

empty icon.raw - Sentry 2020 encryption data

empty icon.raw - ZX Spectrum memory dump

empty icon.raw - HP V41 program

empty icon.raw - ISIS RAW file format

empty icon.raw - Adobe Photoshop RAW picture image

empty icon.raw - XL-Paint MAX picture image

RAW file extension - Digital camera photo RAW image format

What is raw file? How to open raw files?

File extension raw is traditionally used for RAW image format, a picture format used by digital cameras for "raw" images take by the device that are not yet processed to for use. These files are sometimes also called digital negatives, because they serve same purpose as negatives  in film photography.

The RAW image stores a wider dynamic range or color gamut than the eventual final image format, and it preserves most of the information of the captured image.

RAW image content:

  • Short file header
  • Camera sensor metadata
  • Image metadata
  • An image thumbnail
  • Timecode, keycode or framebuffer
  • Sensor image data

There are many different RAW formats, most of them based on TIFF format. Major digital camera manufacturers assign different file extension for their RAW formats. One of the most known RAW formats include:

Digital camera photo RAW files can be opened in vendor's specialized software, like Canon Digital Photo Professional, Nikon Capture NX-D, Panasonic PHOTOfunSTUDIO, etc.

You can also use universal photo editors, like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, Zoner Photo Studio and many more.

These apps are also able to transform RAW images to popular picture image formats, like JPG, PNG, BMP etc.

Updated: December 1, 2023

The default software associated to open raw file:

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom icon

Adobe Systems Incorporated logoAdobe Photoshop Lightroom  Microsoft Windows software

Company or developer:
Adobe Systems Incorporated

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is set of tools used to manage and post-product photo images. It is used for viewing, editing, and managing digital photos. It is support variety of picture image formats as well as camera RAWs. The latest version is Lightroom 6. It is available either as standalone or as part of Adobe Creative Cloud also known as Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC.

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Help how to open:

Photo editors, like Adobe Photoshop generally are able to work with RAW image files.

How to convert:

There is usually bundled software to digital camers, which can process and export RAW file formats to common image formats like JPEG.

Find conversions from raw file:

raw to gif89a

raw to img

raw to jpeg

raw to jpg

raw to png

raw to vdi

raw to vmdk

Find converter to raw file type:

bmp to raw

cr2 to raw

fff to raw

orf to raw

rw2 to raw

rwl to raw

vdi to raw

List of software applications associated to the .raw 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 raw file, edit raw file, convert raw file, view raw file, play raw 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 raw files.

Software that open raw file - Digital camera photo RAW image format

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

Linux/Unix:

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