How to open a .wmf file
Quick, free ways to open WMF on any system.
A .wmf file is a Windows Metafile. If double-clicking does nothing, your computer simply does not have an app that reads WMF yet. Here is how to fix that on each operating system, using free software wherever possible.
Open a .wmf file step by step
- Confirm the file really is a .wmf. Drop it into the WhatFileType file identifier, which reads its signature without uploading anything.
- On Windows, open it with Microsoft Office or LibreOffice.
- On Mac, use LibreOffice or Inkscape.
- On Linux, try LibreOffice or Inkscape.
- Still stuck? Convert the .wmf to svg, which opens more widely.
Best apps to open .wmf files
Windows
- Microsoft Office
- LibreOffice
- IrfanView
- Inkscape
macOS
- LibreOffice
- Inkscape
Linux
- LibreOffice
- Inkscape
- ImageMagick
!
Before you open it: Usually safe, but metafiles can contain drawing records that have been abused in the past. Open WMF files from unknown sources cautiously, in a viewer rather than an editor.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I open my .wmf file?
Almost always because no installed app understands WMF. Install one of the apps above, or convert the file to a format your existing software already reads.
How do I open a WMF file?
Microsoft Office and LibreOffice open WMF, as do Inkscape and IrfanView. Inkscape can convert it to SVG.
What is the difference between WMF and EMF?
EMF (Enhanced Metafile) is the newer 32-bit successor to WMF, with more drawing commands and better fidelity. Both are Windows vector formats.