lookup> .lua

.LUA·File Extension

LUA Data & Text — A .lua file is a LUA Data & Text. It is a text-based data format widely used for configuration files, data interchange and API payloads.

Data & Texttext/x-lua

Quick facts

Extension.lua

File typeLUA Data & Text

MIME typetext/x-lua

CategoryData & Text

Charset—

Compressible—

What is .lua

What is a .lua file?

A .lua file is a LUA Data & Text. It is a text-based data format widely used for configuration files, data interchange and API payloads.

In the mime-db registry it maps to text/x-lua. When serving .lua over HTTP, set the Content-Type header as shown in Developer info below.

Related entities: it maps to text/x-lua and is used by Lua among others — and is delivered over HTTP via the Content-Type header.

How to open .lua files

Use VS Code or Notepad++ to open and edit .lua files.
Any text editor (Notepad, VS Code) can inspect the raw content as text.

Developer info

When served over HTTP, responses should set the following header:

Content-Type: text/x-lua

Common software that reads/writes .lua:

VS CodeNotepad++Sublime Textjq

Relation chain

.luaextension of

format

LUA Data & Textserved as

mime type

text/x-luasent via header

http header

Related extensions

Related MIME types

Related programming languages

Lua

.lua .fcgi .nse

Common uses

Configuration files
Data interchange between systems
API request and response payloads
Logs and data exports

How to edit .lua files

Open the file with VS Code, make your changes and save.
Most editors preserve the original formatting and encoding — avoid changing the charset.

How to create .lua files

Create a new file and save it with the .lua extension, or export this format from VS Code.

Frequently asked questions

What programs can open .lua files?

Common options include VS Code, Notepad++, Sublime Text. You can also open many of these files with built-in viewers or a browser.

How do I create a .lua file?

Create a new file in any text editor or the app that owns the format and save it with the .lua extension.

What is the relationship between .lua and the text/x-lua MIME type?

text/x-lua is the media type identifier used for .lua files during network transfer (for example in the HTTP Content-Type header).

Sources & standards

Updated 2026-08-18

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