Windows
Compatible applications
Quick Facts
Basic information about this file format
Extension
.UTF16
File Type
UTF-16 Encoded Text File
Category
Data
Best first step
Use compatible software
Quick Summary
A practical overview of the .utf16 file format
UTF-16 (16-bit Unicode Transformation Format) is a character encoding capable of encoding all 1,112,064 valid character code points of Unicode. It uses one or two 16-bit code units for each character, making it a variable-width encoding. It is widely used in environments where memory is less constr…
File extension
.UTF16
File type
UTF-16 Encoded Text File
Category
Data
Recommended action
Open with a trusted compatible app
How to open a .utf16 file
Start with a trusted app that supports this format
- Check the file extension carefully and confirm that the file name really ends with .utf16.
- Use software that supports this file type. If one app does not work, try another compatible program for the same platform.
- Update the application if the file was created by a newer version of the software.
- Scan files from unknown sources before opening them, especially documents, archives, scripts, installers, and executable files.
What is a .utf16 file?
File extension details and usage information
UTF-16 (16-bit Unicode Transformation Format) is a character encoding capable of encoding all 1,112,064 valid character code points of Unicode. It uses one or two 16-bit code units for each character, making it a variable-width encoding. It is widely used in environments where memory is less constrained than in 8-bit systems, such as the internal representation of strings in Java, JavaScript, and the Windows API. Files saved with a .utf16 extension typically contain plain text data encoded in this format, often preceded by a Byte Order Mark (BOM) to indicate whether the byte order is big-endian or little-endian. Because it supports the full range of Unicode characters, including emojis, mathematical symbols, and historical scripts, it is a robust choice for internationalized software applications, though it is less space-efficient than UTF-8 for files consisting primarily of ASCII characters.
Software Compatibility
Programs that may open or work with .utf16 files
macOS
Compatible applications
Linux
Compatible applications
Mobile
Mobile applications
Can .utf16 files be converted?
Options for saving or exporting this file to another format
In many cases, a .utf16 file can be converted by opening it in compatible software and using an option such as Save As, Export, or Convert. The available output formats depend on the file type and the application used.
- Use the original software that created the file when possible.
- Check whether the application supports exporting to common formats.
- Be careful with online converters when working with private, business, or sensitive files.
- If conversion fails, the file may be corrupted, incomplete, encrypted, or not actually a .utf16 file.
Why can't I open a .utf16 file?
Common reasons this file type may not open correctly
Wrong software
The file may require a specific program that supports the .utf16 format.
Incorrect extension
The file extension may have been renamed manually, even though the actual file format is different.
Corrupted file
The file may be incomplete, damaged during download, or transferred incorrectly.
Outdated app
Your software may need to be updated before it can open newer versions of this file format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about .utf16 files
To open a .utf16 file, use software that supports this file format.
- Notepad
- Notepad++
- Visual Studio Code
- Sublime Text
- TextEdit
Open the file in compatible software and look for options such as Save As, Export, or Convert. If no export option is available, the file may require a specialized converter or the original application that created it.
- Verify that the file extension is correct.
- Install or update compatible software.
- Try another application that supports this format.
- Check whether the file is corrupted, incomplete, or encrypted.
A file extension alone does not guarantee whether a file is safe or unsafe. Only open files from trusted sources, scan unknown files before opening them, and be especially careful with executable, script, archive, and document files.
File safety tips
Use caution with unknown files
Only open files from trusted sources. Before opening a .utf16 file, scan it with antivirus software, verify that the file extension is expected, and avoid running unknown executable, installer, macro-enabled document, or script files.