H5 File

What are H5 files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a H5 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 H5 files.

What is a H5 file?

A .H5 file is a Hierarchical Data Format 5 file.

Hierarchical Data Format 5 files, identified by the ".h5" file extension, represent a versatile, high-performance data format for storing and managing large, complex datasets. Developed by the HDF Group, these files excel in organizing and accessing multidimensional arrays of data in scientific, engineering, and other research domains.

The H5 file format incorporates a hierarchical structure, enabling users to store multiple data objects, such as datasets and metadata, within a single file. This structure simplifies data organization and improves file management, making .h5 files ideal for handling diverse data types and sizes.

To work with H5 files, utilize dedicated software libraries, such as the official HDF5 library or the h5py library for Python. These libraries provide extensive functionality for creating, reading, and modifying .h5 files, allowing researchers to efficiently interact with complex datasets across various programming languages.

How to open H5 files

Important: Different programs may use files with the H5 file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your H5 file is, you may need to try a few different programs.

While we have not verified the app ourselves yet, our users have suggested a single H5 opener which you will find listed below.

Last updated: March 27, 2023

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of H5 files. Remember, different programs may use H5 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 H5 file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.