CDF Data & Text — A .cdf file is a CDF Data & Text. It is a text-based data format widely used for configuration files, data interchange and API payloads.
Quick facts
What is .cdf
A .cdf file is a CDF 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/x-netcdf. When serving .cdf over HTTP, set the Content-Type header as shown in Developer info below.
Related entities: it maps to application/x-netcdf and is used by Wolfram Language among others — and is delivered over HTTP via the Content-Type header.
How to open .cdf files
Developer info
When served over HTTP, responses should set the following header:
Content-Type: application/x-netcdf
Common software that reads/writes .cdf:
Relation chain
Related extensions
Related MIME types
Related programming languages
Common uses
How to edit .cdf files
How to create .cdf files
Frequently asked questions
Common options include VS Code, Notepad++, Sublime Text. 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 .cdf extension.
application/x-netcdf is the media type identifier used for .cdf files during network transfer (for example in the HTTP Content-Type header).
Sources & standards
Updated 2026-08-18
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