There are 7 other file types using
the SHP file extension!
.shp - AutoCAD shape file or source file for text fonts
.shp - CARE-S InfoWorks pipe cross-section data
.shp - Clarion for Windows ship list
.shp - Command & Conquer game data
.shp - PrintMaster icon library
.shp - Blazing Paddles shape table
.shp - Movie Maker shape
SHP file extension - ESRI ArcView shapefile
What is shp file? How to open shp files?
File type specification:
File extension shp is used for ESRI Shape format, a popular geospatial vector data format for geographic information systems software. It is developed and regulated by ESRI as a (mostly) open specification for data interoperability among ESRI and other software products.
A shapefile stores non-topological geometry and attribute information for the spatial features in a data set. A shapefile consists of a set of 3 mandatory files, along with several optional files.
Each file in the set shares the shapefile name with a different extension. The main file .shp stores the geometry and must always have an index file shx. A dBASE file dbf stores all the attributes of the shapes in the main file. Additionally, a projection file prj stores the projection information.
There is also shp shape file used by AutoDesk programs. But that is different format just sharing the same file extension.
Updated: March 15, 2023
The default software associated to open shp file:
ArcGIS for Desktop Basic (ArcView) 
Company or developer:
Esri
ArcGIS for Desktop Basic (formerly known as ArcView) is GIS (geographic information system) application used to visualizing, managing, creating, and analyzing geographic data.
ArcGIS for Desktop Basic is a part of the ArcGIS Desktop. ArcGIS for Desktop Basic supports creation of interactive maps, spatial analysis, GIS deployment, map viewing and navigation, map printing etc.
List of software applications associated to the .shp 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 shp file, edit shp file, convert shp file, view shp file, play shp 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 shp files.
Software that open shp file - ESRI ArcView shapefile
Programs supporting the exension shp on the main platforms Windows, Mac, Linux or mobile. Click on the link to get more information about listed programs for open shp file action.
Microsoft Windows:
Main software associated with shp file by default:
ArcGIS for Desktop Basic (ArcView)
Other suggested software:
MapViewer
FME DESKTOP
