lookup> .vcf

.VCF·File Extension

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

Data & Texttext/x-vcard

Quick facts

Extension.vcf

File typeVCF Data & Text

MIME typetext/x-vcard

CategoryData & Text

Charset—

Compressible—

What is .vcf

What is a .vcf file?

A .vcf file is a VCF 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 text/x-vcard. When serving .vcf over HTTP, set the Content-Type header as shown in Developer info below.

Related entities: it maps to text/x-vcard and is used by TSV, vCard among others — and is delivered over HTTP via the Content-Type header.

How to open .vcf files

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

Common software that reads/writes .vcf:

VS CodeNotepad++Sublime Textjq

Relation chain

.vcfextension of

format

VCF Data & Textserved as

mime type

text/x-vcardsent via header

http header

Related extensions

Related MIME types

Related programming languages

Common uses

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

How to edit .vcf 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 .vcf files

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

Frequently asked questions

What programs can open .vcf 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 .vcf file?

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

What is the relationship between .vcf and the text/x-vcard MIME type?

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

Sources & standards

Updated 2026-08-18

Explore this reference