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.CONF·File Extension

Configuration File — Configuration file used by servers and system tools.

Data & Texttext/plainCompressible

Quick facts

Extension.conf
File typeConfiguration File
MIME typetext/plain
CategoryData & Text
Charset—
CompressibleYes
Format familyconfig

What is .conf

What is a .conf file?

A .conf file is a Configuration File — Configuration file used by servers and system tools.

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

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

How to open .conf files

  • Use VS Code or Notepad to open and edit .conf 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/plain

Common software that reads/writes .conf:

VS CodeNotepad

Relation chain

.confextension of
format
configserved as
mime type
text/plainsent via header
http header
Content-Type

Related extensions

.ini
INI Configuration
.cfg
Configuration File
.env
Environment File
.properties
Java Properties

Related MIME types

text/plain
.txt .text .conf

Common uses

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

How to edit .conf 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 .conf files

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

Frequently asked questions

What programs can open .conf files?

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

How do I create a .conf file?

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

What is the relationship between .conf and the text/plain MIME type?

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

Sources & standards

Updated 2026-08-18

Explore this reference

Related extensions

.ini
INI Configuration
.cfg
Configuration File
.env
Environment File
.properties
Java Properties

Related MIME types

text/plain
.txt .text .conf

Related headers

Content-Type
HTTP header
Accept
HTTP header

Related methods

GET
HTTP method
POST
HTTP method
PUT
HTTP method
PATCH
HTTP method

Related status codes

200
OK
404
Not Found