A .eml file is a single email message saved as a text file on your computer
When you see a file ending in .eml, you are looking at an email that has been exported or saved outside of an email program. The letters stand for "electronic mail". Unlike an email sitting in your inbox, a .eml file is a standalone document — it contains the message text, sender and recipient information, subject line, and any attachments, all bundled into one file you can move, copy, or open in different programs.
Email programs like Outlook, Gmail, Apple Mail, and Thunderbird can all create .eml files when you export or save messages. You might end up with one if you back up important emails, forward a message to someone outside your email system, or migrate emails from one program to another. A .eml file looks like plain text when you open it in a basic text editor, but email programs know how to read the formatting and display it the way it was meant to look.
Key Takeaways
- A .eml file is a single email message stored as a file, containing the message body, sender, recipient, subject, and attachments.
- You can open .eml files in most email programs, web browsers, or text editors, though the appearance varies depending on which program you use.
- Email programs create .eml files when you export, back up, or save individual messages outside your inbox.
- If you need to move emails between different email programs, converting them to .eml format is a common way to preserve the original message.
How to open a .eml file on Windows or Mac
The easiest way is to double-click the .eml file. Your computer will usually open it in whatever email program you have set as the default — Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, or another email client. The message will display with its original formatting, sender information, and any images or attachments intact.
If double-clicking does not work, or if you want to open it in a different program, right-click the file (or Control-click on Mac). Select "Open with" and choose from the list of programs available on your computer. Most email programs will appear in that list. On Mac, you can also drag the .eml file directly into an email program's window, and it will open there.
If you do not have an email program installed, you can open the .eml file in a web browser. Drag it into Firefox, Chrome, or Safari, and the browser will display the message as text. You will see the raw email structure — headers, sender, recipient, subject — but it will be readable. A text editor like Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac) will also open the file, though the formatting will be harder to read because the file contains email metadata alongside the message text.
Why someone might send you a .eml file
If someone forwards you a .eml file instead of a regular email, they are usually trying to preserve the original message exactly as it was. This happens when people need to share proof of an email — for legal reasons, to document a conversation, or to back up important messages. A .eml file is a snapshot of that email at a specific moment, with all headers and formatting locked in place.
You might also receive .eml files when someone exports emails from an old email account before closing it, or when they are switching to a new email program and want to move their messages over. Some companies and organizations export customer communications as .eml files for record-keeping or compliance reasons.
Opening .eml files in Gmail or Outlook online
If you use Gmail or Outlook on the web, you cannot open a .eml file directly by uploading it. Instead, you need to import it into your email program first. Download Thunderbird (free) or use the desktop version of Outlook, import the .eml file there, and then access the message through your web account if you want to.
Some third-party tools online claim to convert or open .eml files in a browser, but these require you to upload your file to their server. If the email contains sensitive information, this is not a safe option. It is better to use a program on your own computer.
Converting .eml files to other formats
If you need to share an email in a different format, you can convert it. Most email programs let you export a message as a .eml file, and some can also save it as a PDF or print it to PDF. This is useful if you want to send someone a version they can view without needing email software.
To convert in Outlook, open the message, go to File, select "Save As", and choose your format. In Thunderbird, right-click the message and select "Save As". In Apple Mail, open the message and use File > Save. The program will let you choose where to save it and what format to use. PDF is usually the best choice if you want the recipient to see it exactly as it appears, without being able to edit it.
Potential security concerns with .eml files
A .eml file is just text, so it cannot infect your computer by itself. However, if the email contains an attachment, that attachment is embedded in the .eml file. Opening the attachment from within the .eml file carries the same risk as opening any file from an unknown source — it could contain malware. Do not open attachments from .eml files unless you trust the person who sent them and you were expecting the file.
Be cautious if someone sends you a .eml file that claims to be from your bank, a government agency, or another official source. Scammers sometimes use .eml files to make fake emails look authentic. If you are unsure, contact the organization directly using a phone number or website you know is real, rather than using contact information from the email itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit a .eml file?
You can open a .eml file in a text editor and change the text, but email programs may not recognize the changes correctly. If you need to edit an email, import it into your email program first, make the changes there, and then export it again as a .eml file if needed.
What is the difference between .eml and .msg files?
.msg is Microsoft's email format, used by Outlook. .eml is a more universal format that works across different email programs. Both contain a single email message, but .eml files are easier to open in non-Microsoft programs like Thunderbird or Apple Mail.
Why is my .eml file opening in Notepad instead of my email program?
Your computer is set to open .eml files with a text editor by default. Right-click the file, select "Open with", and choose your email program. You can also set it as the default by selecting "Always use this app to open .eml files" if that option appears.
Can I import a .eml file into Gmail?
Gmail does not have a direct import feature for .eml files. You can import them into Thunderbird or Outlook, then forward the messages to your Gmail account, or use a third-party migration tool designed for this purpose.