Word Document — Legacy Microsoft Word binary document format.
Quick facts
What is .doc
A .doc file is a Word Document — Legacy Microsoft Word binary document format.
In the mime-db registry it maps to application/msword, and it is marked as non-compressible. When serving .doc over HTTP, set the Content-Type header as shown in Developer info below.
Related entities: it maps to application/msword — and is delivered over HTTP via the Content-Type header.
How to open .doc files
Developer info
When served over HTTP, responses should set the following header:
Content-Type: application/msword
Common software that reads/writes .doc:
Relation chain
Related extensions
Related MIME types
Common uses
How to edit .doc files
How to create .doc files
Frequently asked questions
Common options include Microsoft Word, LibreOffice, Google Docs. 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 .doc extension.
application/msword is the media type identifier used for .doc files during network transfer (for example in the HTTP Content-Type header).
Sources & standards
Updated 2026-08-18
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