An EML file is a single email message saved as a text file on your computer

An EML file is a plain-text copy of one email. It contains the message itself, the sender's address, the recipient's address, the subject line, and any attachments — all stored in a format that most email programs can read. When you export an email from Outlook, Gmail, Thunderbird, or Apple Mail, you often get an EML file.

The file name ends in .eml — for example, Invoice_from_supplier.eml or Meeting_notes.eml. Because EML is a standard format, you can open the same file in different email programs on different computers. This makes EML useful for backing up important emails or moving them between programs.

You will not see EML files in your email inbox. They only appear when you manually save or export a message to your computer's hard drive, USB drive, or cloud storage.

Key Takeaways

  • An EML file is one email message stored as a text file that any email program can open.
  • EML files are created when you export or save an email from programs like Outlook, Gmail, or Thunderbird.
  • You can open an EML file by double-clicking it, dragging it into an email program, or right-clicking and choosing to open it with a specific program.
  • EML files are useful for backing up important emails, moving messages between email accounts, or keeping a record of a message outside your email inbox.
  • If an EML file will not open, the file may be corrupted, or your computer may not have an email program installed that recognizes the format.

How to open an EML file on Windows

The easiest way is to double-click the EML file. Windows will try to open it with your default email program — usually Outlook or Windows Mail if you have one installed. The email will appear in a new window showing the sender, subject, date, and message body.

If double-clicking does not work, right-click the EML file and select Open with. A list of programs will appear. Choose an email program you have installed — Outlook, Thunderbird, or Windows Mail are common options. If you do not see an email program listed, click More apps to see additional choices.

You can also drag and drop an EML file directly into an open email program. Open Outlook or Thunderbird, then drag the EML file from your file explorer window into the program window. The email will import into your inbox or a folder you choose.

How to open an EML file on Mac

Double-click the EML file. On a Mac, this usually opens the file in Apple Mail, which is the built-in email program. The email will display in a new window with all its details visible.

If Apple Mail does not open, right-click the EML file and select Open With. Choose Apple Mail or another email program you have installed, such as Thunderbird or Outlook for Mac. If you want to always open EML files with a specific program, select that program and then click Change All.

You can also drag an EML file into Apple Mail's inbox or into a specific folder within Mail. This imports the email into your mailbox so you can read it alongside your other messages.

Why you might have an EML file

You created an EML file yourself by exporting an email. Most email programs have an export or save option in the menu. You might do this to back up an important message, keep a record of a receipt or contract, or move an email to a different email account.

Someone sent you an EML file as an attachment. This is less common than sending a regular email, but it happens when someone wants to share a specific message with you or when an automated system exports emails for record-keeping.

An email program created an EML file automatically during a backup or migration. If you switched email programs or restored your email from a backup, the program may have saved messages as EML files temporarily.

What to do if an EML file will not open

Check that you have an email program installed. EML files require an email program to open — they will not open in a web browser or a text editor (though you can view the raw text if you open one in Notepad). If you do not have Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, or another email program, download and install one first.

Try opening the file with a different email program. Sometimes an EML file is corrupted or was created by a program that does not fully support the format. If Outlook will not open it, try Thunderbird. If Apple Mail will not open it, try Outlook for Mac.

Open the file in a text editor to see if it is readable. Right-click the EML file, select Open With, and choose Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac). You will see the raw email data, including headers and formatting code. If the file is completely unreadable or full of garbage characters, the file is corrupted and cannot be recovered.

Check the file name and location. Make sure the file actually ends in .eml and not something similar like .msg (which is Outlook's format) or .mbox (which holds multiple emails). If the extension is wrong, the file may need a different program to open.

EML versus other email file formats

EML is one of several ways to save emails as files. MSG is Outlook's native format and works best in Outlook, though other programs can open it. MBOX is a format that holds many emails in one file, used by programs like Thunderbird and Gmail for backups. PST is Outlook's backup format for entire mailboxes.

EML is the most universal format — nearly every email program can read it. This makes EML the best choice if you need to move an email between different programs or share it with someone who uses different software. If you are staying within one email program, that program's native format (like MSG for Outlook) may be more convenient.

How to create an EML file from an email you want to save

In Outlook, right-click the email and select Save As. Choose a location on your computer, give the file a name, and make sure the file type is set to EML Format. Click Save.

In Thunderbird, right-click the email, hover over Save As, and select File. Choose where to save it and confirm the file name. Thunderbird saves it as an EML file by default.

In Apple Mail, drag the email from your inbox to your desktop or a folder on your computer. Mail will create an EML file automatically. You can also select the email, go to File, and choose Save As.

In Gmail, you cannot export a single email directly as EML through the web interface. You can use a third-party tool, or you can set up Gmail to work with Thunderbird or another email program that supports EML export.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open an EML file in Gmail or Outlook online?

No. Gmail and Outlook's web versions do not have a built-in way to open EML files. You need the desktop version of Outlook, or another email program like Thunderbird or Apple Mail. You can upload the EML file to your computer and then open it with one of these programs.

Is it safe to open an EML file from someone I do not know?

EML files are text-based and do not run code, so they cannot infect your computer with a virus just by opening them. However, if the email contains a malicious attachment, that attachment could be dangerous. Check what is attached to the email before downloading or opening any files within it.

Can I edit an EML file and save the changes?

You can open an EML file in a text editor and change the text, but most email programs will not recognize your edits when you try to open it again. If you need to modify an email, open it in your email program, copy the text you want to keep, and create a new email instead.

What happens if I delete an EML file?

The email is deleted from your computer, just like any other file. If the email is also in your email inbox, it stays there — deleting the EML file does not affect your email account. If the EML file was your only copy of that email, it is gone.

Can I convert an EML file to PDF?

Open the EML file in your email program, then use the program's print function. Choose Print to PDF instead of printing to a physical printer. This creates a PDF copy of the email that you can save and share.