What is a .deb file?
Debian Package · Disk image · Debian · 1990s
A DEB is a software package for Debian-based Linux systems like Ubuntu. It bundles a program's files with its metadata, dependency list and install scripts, and you install it with the system's package tools rather than opening it directly.
What is a .deb file used for?
Under the hood a .deb is an ar archive containing the app's files plus control information that tells the system what it needs and what to run during install.
You install one by double-clicking it into a graphical Software Center, or from the terminal with sudo apt install ./file.deb (which also pulls in dependencies) or sudo dpkg -i file.deb.
DEB packages only apply to Debian and its relatives (Ubuntu, Mint and so on). The Red Hat world uses RPM instead.
How to open a .deb file
The .deb format opens in the following apps, grouped by operating system. If one app does not work, try another from the same list.
Windows
- Not applicable (inspect with 7-Zip)
macOS
- Not applicable (inspect with an archive tool)
Linux
- Software Center
- apt
- dpkg
- Archive Manager (to inspect)
Web
- Not applicable
How to convert a .deb file
You can convert a .deb file to Not convertible using a conversion tool or the export menu of an app that opens it.
.deb file signature (magic bytes)
Programs recognise a .deb file by the bytes at the start of the file, not by its name. These are the signatures for DEB. For a full breakdown, see the DEB file signature page.
| Hex signature | Offset | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 21 3C 61 72 63 68 3E | 0 | '!<arch>' (a .deb is an ar archive) |
See the full magic-numbers reference for every format.
Frequently asked questions
What is a .deb file?
A DEB is a software package for Debian-based Linux systems like Ubuntu. It bundles a program's files with its metadata, dependency list and install scripts, and you install it with the system's package tools rather than opening it directly.
How do I install a .deb file?
Double-click it to open your distribution's Software Center, or run sudo apt install ./file.deb in a terminal, which installs it and its dependencies. sudo dpkg -i file.deb also works but does not resolve dependencies.
Is a .deb file safe?
Installing one runs with root privileges, so it is only as safe as its source. Stick to official repositories and vendor downloads, and be cautious with a .deb from an unknown site.
Related formats
Sources
Details on this page were checked against authoritative references: