CDL File

What are CDL files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a CDL file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your CDL files.

What is a CDL file?

CDL files have multiple uses, and CD Label Pro project is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

CD Label Pro project

These CDL files contain the images/labels used in Disketch Disc Label Software, a software designed to create and print labels and covers for your CDs. You can add images and text to your CDs, print them using a special printer, or send them to a print shop.

How to open CDL files

Important: Different programs may use files with the CDL file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your CDL file is, you may need to try a few different programs.

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested ten different CDL openers which you will find listed below.

Last updated: August 31, 2026

All known file formats using extension .CDL

While CD Label Pro project is a popular type of CDL-file, we know of 3 different uses of the .CDL file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

Color Decision List

These CDL files contain the information for the exchange of basic primary color grading information between software. It transfers Slopes, Offsets, Power, and saturation. These values are math functions that use red, blue, and green to comprise one color decision.

NetCDF (network Common Data Form)

NetCDF (network Common Data Form) is a software library and data format designed to store scientific data as arrays that are both self-describing and portable across different computer architectures. It enables scientists to encode complex datasets - such as measurements that vary over time, latitude, and longitude - by defining named axes (dimensions), multidimensional arrays (variables), and descriptive metadata (attributes). Its classic model supports simple types like integer, float, double, byte, short, and char.

These files are produced by programs using the netCDF library (most notably from the Unidata/UCAR community). Once created, they can be read by many tools and libraries that implement the netCDF APIs. The format supports variants: classic format (CDF-1), 64-bit offset format (CDF-2), CDF-5 (64-bit data), and the netCDF-4/HDF5 format, which adds features like user-defined types, multiple unlimited dimensions, compression, and hierarchical grouping.

The text‐based Common Data Language (CDL) is a textual notation for describing the structure and optionally the data of a netCDF dataset in human-readable form. The utility "ncdump" converts a binary netCDF file into CDL form; "ncgen" can convert a well-formed CDL description back into a netCDF binary file. CDL descriptions include sections introducing dimensions, variables (including their types and attributes), and optionally data values.

Binary netCDF files typically begin with the ASCII signature "netcdf" at the file start, and contain internal keywords like DIMENSIONS, VARIABLES, NETCDF, and DATA to mark structure.

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of CDL files. Remember, different programs may use CDL files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

Help us help others

File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about CDL file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.