What is a .wmf file?
Windows Metafile · Image · Microsoft · 1990
WMF is an old Windows vector image format that stores a list of drawing commands rather than pixels. It was widely used for clip art in Microsoft Office and can hold both vector shapes and bitmaps.
What is a .wmf file used for?
A Windows Metafile replays a sequence of GDI drawing calls, so it scales like a vector image. A placeable WMF adds a header (starting D7 CD C6 9A) that records the intended size. Its successor is the Enhanced Metafile, EMF.
WMF is mostly seen in legacy Office documents and clip-art sets. Note that WMF and EMF can carry executable drawing records, so treat files from untrusted sources with care.
How to open a .wmf file
The .wmf format opens in the following apps, grouped by operating system. If one app does not work, try another from the same list. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see how to open a .wmf file.
Windows
- Microsoft Office
- LibreOffice
- IrfanView
- Inkscape
macOS
- LibreOffice
- Inkscape
Linux
- LibreOffice
- Inkscape
- ImageMagick
How to convert a .wmf file
You can convert a .wmf file to svg, png, emf using a conversion tool or the export menu of an app that opens it.
.wmf file signature (magic bytes)
Programs recognise a .wmf file by the bytes at the start of the file, not by its name. These are the signatures for WMF. For a full breakdown, see the WMF file signature page.
| Hex signature | Offset | Note |
|---|---|---|
| D7 CD C6 9A | 0 | placeable WMF |
| 01 00 09 00 | 0 | standard WMF |
See the full magic-numbers reference for every format.
Frequently asked questions
What is a .wmf file?
WMF is an old Windows vector image format that stores a list of drawing commands rather than pixels. It was widely used for clip art in Microsoft Office and can hold both vector shapes and bitmaps.
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.
How do I convert WMF to SVG?
Open the WMF in Inkscape and save as SVG, or use LibreOffice Draw to import and export it.
Related formats
Sources
Details on this page were checked against authoritative references: