What is a .cdr file?
CorelDRAW Image · Design · Corel · 1989
A .cdr file is a CorelDRAW image, a vector graphics document from Corel's long-running design suite. It is popular for logos, signage and print artwork, especially outside the Adobe ecosystem.
What is a .cdr file used for?
Older CorelDRAW files use a RIFF container (starting with RIFF), while newer versions are ZIP packages. Either way the format is proprietary and best opened in CorelDRAW.
Support elsewhere is patchy: some versions import into Inkscape or Illustrator, but results vary. Exporting to SVG, PDF or AI from CorelDRAW is the reliable way to share.
How to open a .cdr file
The .cdr format opens in the following apps, grouped by operating system. If one app does not work, try another from the same list. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see how to open a .cdr file.
Windows
- CorelDRAW
- Inkscape (some versions)
macOS
- CorelDRAW
- Inkscape (some versions)
Linux
- Inkscape (some versions)
- LibreOffice Draw (limited)
How to convert a .cdr file
You can convert a .cdr file to svg, pdf, ai, png using a conversion tool or the export menu of an app that opens it.
.cdr file signature (magic bytes)
Programs recognise a .cdr file by the bytes at the start of the file, not by its name. These are the signatures for CorelDRAW.
| Hex signature | Offset | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 52 49 46 46 | 0 | older CDR is RIFF; newer versions are ZIP packages |
See the full magic-numbers reference for every format.
Frequently asked questions
What is a .cdr file?
A .cdr file is a CorelDRAW image, a vector graphics document from Corel's long-running design suite. It is popular for logos, signage and print artwork, especially outside the Adobe ecosystem.
How do I open a .cdr file without CorelDRAW?
Try Inkscape, which imports some CDR versions, though not all. The reliable route is to have it exported from CorelDRAW to SVG, PDF or AI.
Why won't Inkscape open my .cdr?
CorelDRAW's format changes between versions and is proprietary, so Inkscape supports only some. Ask for an SVG or PDF export instead.
How do I convert CDR to a common format?
In CorelDRAW, export to SVG, PDF or AI. Those open in nearly any vector editor.
Related formats
Sources
Details on this page were checked against authoritative references: