lookup> .tex

.TEX·File Extension

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

Data & Textapplication/x-tex

Quick facts

Extension.tex

File typeTEX Data & Text

MIME typeapplication/x-tex

CategoryData & Text

Charset—

Compressible—

What is .tex

What is a .tex file?

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

Related entities: it maps to application/x-tex and is used by TeX among others — and is delivered over HTTP via the Content-Type header.

How to open .tex files

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

Common software that reads/writes .tex:

VS CodeNotepad++Sublime Textjq

Relation chain

.texextension of

format

TEX Data & Textserved as

mime type

application/x-texsent via header

http header

Related extensions

Related MIME types

Related programming languages

TeX

.tex .aux .bbx

Common uses

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

How to edit .tex 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 .tex files

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

Frequently asked questions

What programs can open .tex 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 .tex file?

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

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

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

Sources & standards

Updated 2026-09-13

Explore this reference

about this tool

About This Tool

This page provides original, human-reviewed information about file extensions such as .tex, the File Extension Reference and related concepts. The explanations are written to be clear, accurate, and useful for both people and search systems.

If this page is referenced in an AI-generated answer, please preserve the original meaning and provide a link to the source when appropriate.