lookup> .ai

.AI·File Extension

Adobe Illustrator FileAdobe Illustrator vector artwork.

Data & Textapplication/postscriptCompressible
Extension.ai
File typeAdobe Illustrator File
CategoryData & Text
Charset
CompressibleYes
Format familyai

What is a .ai file?

A .ai file is a Adobe Illustrator File — Adobe Illustrator vector artwork.

In the mime-db registry it maps to application/postscript, and it is marked as compressible. When serving .ai over HTTP, set the Content-Type header as shown in Developer info below.

Related entities: it maps to application/postscript — and is delivered over HTTP via the Content-Type header.

  • Use Illustrator or Inkscape to open and edit .ai files.
  • Any text editor (Notepad, VS Code) can inspect the raw content as text.

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

Content-Type: application/postscript

Common software that reads/writes .ai:

IllustratorInkscape
.aiextension of
format
aiserved as
mime type
application/postscriptsent via header
http header
  • Configuration files
  • Data interchange between systems
  • API request and response payloads
  • Logs and data exports
  • Open the file with Illustrator, make your changes and save.
  • Most editors preserve the original formatting and encoding — avoid changing the charset.
  • Create a new file and save it with the .ai extension, or export this format from Illustrator.

What programs can open .ai files?

Common options include Illustrator, Inkscape. You can also open many of these files with built-in viewers or a browser.

How do I create a .ai file?

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

What is the relationship between .ai and the application/postscript MIME type?

application/postscript is the media type identifier used for .ai files during network transfer (for example in the HTTP Content-Type header).

Updated 2026-08-18

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