lookup> .pgn

.PGN·File Extension

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

Data & Textapplication/x-chess-pgn

Quick facts

Extension.pgn

File typePGN Data & Text

MIME typeapplication/x-chess-pgn

CategoryData & Text

Charset—

Compressible—

What is .pgn

What is a .pgn file?

A .pgn file is a PGN 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-chess-pgn. When serving .pgn over HTTP, set the Content-Type header as shown in Developer info below.

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

How to open .pgn files

Use VS Code or Notepad++ to open and edit .pgn 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-chess-pgn

Common software that reads/writes .pgn:

VS CodeNotepad++Sublime Textjq

Relation chain

.pgnextension of

format

PGN Data & Textserved as

mime type

application/x-chess-pgnsent via header

http header

Related extensions

Related MIME types

application/x-chess-pgn

.pgn

Common uses

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

How to edit .pgn 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 .pgn files

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

Frequently asked questions

What programs can open .pgn 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 .pgn file?

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

What is the relationship between .pgn and the application/x-chess-pgn MIME type?

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

Sources & standards

Updated 2026-09-13

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