How to open a .pub file (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Q: Why can't I open my .pub file?

Usually your computer lacks an app that understands Publisher. Install one of the apps listed here, or convert the file to a more common format.

A .pub file is a Microsoft Publisher Document. If double-clicking does nothing, your computer simply does not have an app that reads Publisher yet. Here is how to fix that on each operating system, using free software wherever possible.

Open a .pub file step by step

Confirm the file really is a .pub. Drop it into the WhatFileType file identifier, which reads its signature without uploading anything.
On Windows, open it with Microsoft Publisher or LibreOffice Draw (import).
On Mac, use LibreOffice Draw (import) or online converters.
On Linux, try LibreOffice Draw (import) or online converters.
Still stuck? Convert the .pub to pdf, which opens more widely.

Best apps to open .pub files

Windows

Microsoft Publisher
LibreOffice Draw (import)
online converters

macOS

LibreOffice Draw (import)
online converters

Linux

LibreOffice Draw (import)
online converters

Before you open it: Mostly safe. A .pub file is a layout document; like other legacy Office files it can technically carry embedded objects, so treat unexpected attachments with the usual care.

Frequently asked questions

Why can't I open my .pub file?

Almost always because no installed app understands Publisher. Install one of the apps above, or convert the file to a format your existing software already reads.

How do I open a .pub file without Publisher?

Try LibreOffice Draw, which imports many .pub files with some layout drift, or an online converter to PDF. If you can reach the sender, a PDF export is the reliable answer.

Is Microsoft Publisher discontinued?

Effectively yes. Microsoft has announced that Publisher support ends in October 2026 and recommends Word and Designer instead, which is why .pub files are becoming hard to open.