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.LUAC·File Extension

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

Data & Textapplication/x-lua-bytecode

Quick facts

Extension.luac

File typeLUAC Data & Text

MIME typeapplication/x-lua-bytecode

CategoryData & Text

Charset—

Compressible—

What is .luac

What is a .luac file?

A .luac file is a LUAC 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-lua-bytecode. When serving .luac over HTTP, set the Content-Type header as shown in Developer info below.

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

How to open .luac files

Use VS Code or Notepad++ to open and edit .luac 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/x-lua-bytecode

Common software that reads/writes .luac:

VS CodeNotepad++Sublime Textjq

Relation chain

.luacextension of

format

LUAC Data & Textserved as

mime type

application/x-lua-bytecodesent via header

http header

Related extensions

Related MIME types

application/x-lua-bytecode

.luac

Common uses

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

How to edit .luac 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 .luac files

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

Frequently asked questions

What programs can open .luac 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 .luac file?

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

What is the relationship between .luac and the application/x-lua-bytecode MIME type?

application/x-lua-bytecode is the media type identifier used for .luac files during network transfer (for example in the HTTP Content-Type header).

Sources & standards

Updated 2026-09-13

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