EML File Extension - What Is An .eml File And How Do I Open It?

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   • More Information
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E-Mail Message

Developer	Microsoft
Popularity	3.4 | 647 Votes

What is an EML file?

An EML file is an email message saved by an email application, such as Microsoft Outlook or Apple Mail. It contains the content of the message, along with the subject, sender, recipient(s), and date of the message. EML files may also store one or more email attachments, which are files sent with the message.

More Information

Microsoft developed the Electronic Mail (EML) format to comply with the industry-standard RFC 5322 for transferring messages between email clients. EML utilizes the Internet Message Format (IMF) syntax for text stored in the messages.

Because of its wide adoption among email clients, EML has become one of the most common email message formats. Some other common email message file types include .MSG .MBOX, .EMLX and .DAT.

How to save an email message as an EML file

Since the EML format is widely supported, you can save emails as .EML files with most email applications. Two common email applications that can save messages as EML files include Microsoft Mail and Apple Mail:

• Microsoft Mail - Open an email message, click the three-dot Actions icon, then select Save as
• Apple Mail - Open an email message, click File → Save As... and choose Raw Message Source in the Format dropdown menu

How to open an EML file

You can open EML files with various email programs, such as Microsoft Outlook (Windows), Apple Mail (macOS), and Mozilla Thunderbird (multiplatform).

You can also open EML files with various web browsers, including Google Chrome (multiplatform), Microsoft Edge, and Internet Explorer since they are formatted similar to .MHT files. You can change the .eml file extension to .mht and open it directly with the web browser.

Since EML files are partially saved in plain text format, you can open them with a plain text editor, such as Microsoft Notepad and Apple TextEdit. However, you may need to change the .eml file extension to .txt. Remember that text editors will not natively display EML files like an email application.

How to convert an EML file

Various applications, including Apple Mail and Microsoft Outlook, can convert EML files to other formats.

For example, Apple Mail can convert EML files to the following formats:

• .RTF - Rich Text Format
• .TXT - Plain Text
• .PDF - Portable Document Format

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Programs that open EML files

Sort Pricing Program Name Platform Reset X Windows File Viewer Plus — Get it from MicrosoftFree+ Microsoft Outlook 365Free Microsoft Internet Explorer — DiscontinuedFree Mozilla ThunderbirdFree Encryptomatic Message Viewer LiteFree Trial Mozilla SeaMonkeyFree Aryson EML ConverterFree Trial EdbMailsFree Trial Mac Microsoft Outlook 365Free+ Apple MailIncluded with OS Mozilla ThunderbirdFree Mozilla SeaMonkeyFree Aryson EML ConverterFree Trial Regain EML to PST ConverterFree Trial Linux Mozilla ThunderbirdFree Mozilla SeaMonkeyFree KMailFree Android File Viewer for AndroidFree+

Verified by FileInfo.com

The FileInfo.com team has independently researched the E-Mail Message file format and Mac, Windows, Linux, and Android apps listed on this page. Our goal is 100% accuracy and we only publish information about file types that we have verified.

If you would like to suggest any additions or updates to this page, please let us know.

‹ .EMF | .EMLX ›

PAGE CONTENTS

1. E-Mail Message
   • More Information
   • How to Open
   • How to Convert
   • Program List