How to open a .cue file
Quick, free ways to open CUE on any system.
A .cue file is a Cue Sheet. If double-clicking does nothing, your computer simply does not have an app that reads CUE yet. Here is how to fix that on each operating system, using free software wherever possible.
Open a .cue file step by step
- Confirm the file really is a .cue. Drop it into the WhatFileType file identifier, which reads its signature without uploading anything.
- On Windows, open it with Any text editor or ImgBurn.
- On Mac, use Any text editor or XLD.
- On Linux, try Any text editor or cdemu.
- Still stuck? Convert the .cue to iso, which opens more widely.
Best apps to open .cue files
Windows
- Any text editor
- ImgBurn
- foobar2000
macOS
- Any text editor
- XLD
Linux
- Any text editor
- cdemu
- ffmpeg
!
Before you open it: Safe. A .cue is a small text index. It does nothing without the image file it points to.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I open my .cue file?
Almost always because no installed app understands CUE. Install one of the apps above, or convert the file to a format your existing software already reads.
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.