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lookup> .xyz

.XYZ·File Extension

XYZ Other — A .xyz file is a XYZ Other. It is a file format typically read and written by specialized applications.

Otherchemical/x-xyz

Quick facts

Extension.xyz
File typeXYZ Other
MIME typechemical/x-xyz
CategoryOther
Charset—
Compressible—

What is .xyz

What is a .xyz file?

A .xyz file is a XYZ Other. It is a file format typically read and written by specialized applications.

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

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

How to open .xyz files

  • Use VS Code or xxd to open and edit .xyz 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: chemical/x-xyz

Common software that reads/writes .xyz:

VS Codexxd7-Zip

Relation chain

.xyzextension of
format
XYZ Otherserved as
mime type
chemical/x-xyzsent via header
http header
Content-Type

Related extensions

.cdx
CDX Other
.cif
CIF Other
.cmdf
CMDF Other
.cml
CML Other

Related MIME types

chemical/x-xyz
.xyz

Common uses

  • Application-specific data

How to edit .xyz 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 .xyz files

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

Frequently asked questions

What programs can open .xyz files?

Common options include VS Code, xxd, 7-Zip. You can also open many of these files with built-in viewers or a browser.

How do I create a .xyz file?

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

What is the relationship between .xyz and the chemical/x-xyz MIME type?

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

Sources & standards

Updated 2026-09-13

Explore this reference

Related extensions

.cdx
CDX Other
.cif
CIF Other
.cmdf
CMDF Other
.cml
CML Other

Related MIME types

chemical/x-xyz
.xyz

Related headers

Content-Type
HTTP header
Accept
HTTP header

Related methods

GET
HTTP method
POST
HTTP method
PUT
HTTP method
PATCH
HTTP method

Related status codes

200
OK
404
Not Found

about this tool

About This Tool

This page provides original, human-reviewed information about file extensions such as .xyz, 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.