What Is a .java File? .java Format, MIME & How to Open

Quick facts

Extension.java

File typeJava Source File

MIME typetext/x-java-source

CategoryData & Text

Charset—

Compressible—

Format familyjava

What is .java

What is a .java file?

A .java file is a Java Source File — Java programming language source file.

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

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

How to open .java files

Use IntelliJ IDEA or VS Code to open and edit .java 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-java-source

Common software that reads/writes .java:

IntelliJ IDEAVS CodeEclipse

Relation chain

.javaextension of

format

javaserved as

mime type

text/x-java-sourcesent via header

http header

Related extensions

Web Application Archive

Related MIME types

text/x-java-source

.java

Related programming languages

Java

.java .jav .jsh

Common uses

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

How to edit .java files

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

How to create .java files

Create a new file and save it with the .java extension, or export this format from IntelliJ IDEA.

Frequently asked questions

What programs can open .java files?

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

How do I create a .java file?

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

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

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

Sources & standards

Updated 2026-08-18

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