Files with wad extension are usually encountered in video games based on Id Tech 1 game engine (also known as Doom engine). A wad file is data container used to store game maps, sounds, models, sprites, music and other data.

There are 3 other file types using
the WAD file extension!

wad icon.wad - Quake engine texture file

empty icon.wad - WAD Manager Wii channel archive

empty icon.wad - Theme Park World game archive

Detailed description

Software that open wad file

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WAD file extension - Doom WAD archive

What is wad file? How to open wad files?

File type specification:

Game file type icon Game file type

File extension wad is used by Doom I, II, Ultimate Doom, Final Doom and other games, which use Doom engine, also known as id Tech 1 (Hexen, Heretic).

The wad files are game archives that contain game data such as maps, graphics, sprites, sounds, music etc. WAD is the abbreviation of War Allocation Daemon or Where's All the Data?.

Doom engine uses two types of WAD archives IWAD and PWAD.

IWAD (Internal WAD) contains original game data (doom.wad, doom2.wad, etc.).

PWAD (Patch WAD) contains lumps of data created by a user as an add-on.

Updated: November 28, 2023

The default software associated to open wad file:

Doom icon

id Software LLC logoDoom  Microsoft MS-DOS software

Company or developer:
id Software LLC

Doom is legendary first person shooter computer game created by the id software released in 1993 for MS-DOS. Doom contains 24 levels divided to the three episodes. The first episode is distributed as a shareware and it is available to download for free.

Doom II icon

id Software LLC logoDoom II  Microsoft MS-DOS software

Company or developer:
id Software LLC

Doom 2 is a successor of legendary first person shooter computer game called Doom released in 1994. Doom 2 contains 30 new levels. Gamers can play Doom 2 solo, with two people over a modem, or with up to four players over a LAN (supporting IPX protocol).

Heretic icon

Raven Software logoHeretic  Microsoft MS-DOS software

Company or developer:
Raven Software

Heretic is first person shooter computer game from the medieval times based on Doom 3D engine. Players took the role of Corvus, an Elven hero whose race was nearly eliminated by a horde of evil monsters from another dimension. The first episode of Heretic was released as shareware.

HeXen icon

Raven Software logoHeXen  Microsoft MS-DOS software

Company or developer:
Raven Software

HeXen is a 3D action first person shooter computer game based on Doom 3D engine. HeXen is a succesor of Heretic game. HeXen uses the hub system of level progression, rotating polygonal brushes and multiple character classes that were available in both single player and multiplayer.

Help how to open:

Use Doom Builder to open and edit Doom *.wad game files.

How to convert:

These games files cannot be converted to anything else. However, sometimes modding.

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

Software that open wad file - Doom WAD archive

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

Microsoft Windows:

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