How to open a .obj file
Quick, free ways to open OBJ on any system.
A .obj file is a Wavefront 3D Object. If double-clicking does nothing, your computer simply does not have an app that reads OBJ yet. Here is how to fix that on each operating system, using free software wherever possible.
Open a .obj file step by step
- Confirm the file really is a .obj. Drop it into the WhatFileType file identifier, which reads its signature without uploading anything.
- On Windows, open it with Blender or Windows 3D Viewer.
- On Mac, use Blender or Preview (view).
- On Linux, try Blender or MeshLab.
- Still stuck? Convert the .obj to STL, which opens more widely.
Best apps to open .obj files
Windows
- Blender
- Windows 3D Viewer
- MeshLab
macOS
- Blender
- Preview (view)
- MeshLab
Linux
- Blender
- MeshLab
Web
- Online 3D viewers
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Before you open it: Safe. OBJ is text geometry data.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I open my .obj file?
Almost always because no installed app understands OBJ. Install one of the apps above, or convert the file to a format your existing software already reads.
Why is my OBJ model missing its colours?
OBJ stores textures and materials in a separate .mtl file, plus image files. Make sure those travel alongside the .obj.