What is a .cue file?
Cue Sheet · Disk image · Jeff Arnold (CDRWIN) · 1998
A .cue file is a cue sheet: a small text file that describes the track layout of a disc image, telling a player or burner where each track starts. It always accompanies a data file such as a .bin.
What is a .cue file used for?
A cue sheet lists the tracks, their types and start times in plain text, pointing at a matching image file (commonly BIN, but also APE or FLAC). On its own it holds no audio or data; it is the index for the real image.
Media players and burning tools use the .cue to split or burn the paired file correctly. If the referenced file is missing or renamed, the cue will not work.
How to open a .cue file
The .cue 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 .cue file.
Windows
- Any text editor
- ImgBurn
- foobar2000
macOS
- Any text editor
- XLD
Linux
- Any text editor
- cdemu
- ffmpeg
How to convert a .cue file
You can convert a .cue file to iso using a conversion tool or the export menu of an app that opens it.
.cue file signature (magic bytes)
Programs recognise a .cue file by the bytes at the start of the file, not by its name. These are the signatures for CUE.
| Hex signature | Offset | Note |
|---|---|---|
| (no fixed signature) | 0 | plain text; no fixed magic bytes |
See the full magic-numbers reference for every format.
Frequently asked questions
What is a .cue file?
A .cue file is a cue sheet: a small text file that describes the track layout of a disc image, telling a player or burner where each track starts. It always accompanies a data file such as a .bin.
What is a .cue file for?
It describes the track layout of a disc image, telling software where each track begins. It always pairs with a data file such as a .bin.
Can I open a .cue file on its own?
You can read it in a text editor, but it needs its paired image file (like the matching .bin) to actually play or burn anything.
My .cue file will not load, why?
Usually the image file it references was renamed or is missing. Open the .cue in a text editor and make the FILE line match the actual filename.
Related formats
Sources
Details on this page were checked against authoritative references: