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.ASC·File Extension

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

Data & Textapplication/pgp-keys

Quick facts

Extension.asc

File typeASC Data & Text

MIME typeapplication/pgp-keys

CategoryData & Text

Charset—

Compressible—

What is .asc

What is a .asc file?

A .asc file is a ASC 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 application/pgp-keys. When serving .asc over HTTP, set the Content-Type header as shown in Developer info below.

Related entities: it maps to application/pgp-keys and is used by AGS Script, AsciiDoc among others — and is delivered over HTTP via the Content-Type header.

How to open .asc files

Use VS Code or Notepad++ to open and edit .asc 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: application/pgp-keys

Common software that reads/writes .asc:

VS CodeNotepad++Sublime Textjq

Relation chain

.ascextension of

format

ASC Data & Textserved as

mime type

application/pgp-keyssent via header

http header

Related extensions

Related MIME types

application/pgp-signature

.sig .asc

Related programming languages

Common uses

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

How to edit .asc 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 .asc files

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

Frequently asked questions

What programs can open .asc 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 .asc file?

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

What is the relationship between .asc and the application/pgp-keys MIME type?

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

Sources & standards

Updated 2026-09-13

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