CIF Other — A .cif file is a CIF Other. It is a file format typically read and written by specialized applications.
Quick facts
What is .cif
A .cif file is a CIF Other. It is a file format typically read and written by specialized applications.
In the mime-db registry it maps to chemical/x-cif. When serving .cif over HTTP, set the Content-Type header as shown in Developer info below.
Related entities: it maps to chemical/x-cif — and is delivered over HTTP via the Content-Type header.
How to open .cif files
Developer info
When served over HTTP, responses should set the following header:
Content-Type: chemical/x-cif
Common software that reads/writes .cif:
Relation chain
Related extensions
Related MIME types
Common uses
How to edit .cif files
How to create .cif files
Frequently asked questions
Common options include VS Code, xxd, 7-Zip. You can also open many of these files with built-in viewers or a browser.
Create a new file in any text editor or the app that owns the format and save it with the .cif extension.
chemical/x-cif is the media type identifier used for .cif files during network transfer (for example in the HTTP Content-Type header).
Sources & standards
Updated 2026-08-18
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