NEF File Type

What are NEF files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a NEF file or just wondering what they contain? We explain what these files are used for and show you software that we know can open or otherwise handle your files.

What is a NEF file?

A .NEF file is a Nikon Raw Image file. NEF is an acronym for Nikon Electronic Format. Files that contain the .nef file extension are normally used by Nikon digital SLR cameras.

The files that are captured by the Nikon cameras are raw image files. These files can then be transferred from the Nikon camera to a user's computer when a user wants to edit the images they have taken with the camera.

The NEF file contains the image data in the same way that it was captured by the CCD detector located inside the Nikon camera. NEF files are uncompressed, editable files that can be adjusted with image editing software.

How to open NEF files

We have identified 3 NEF openers for Windows that are compatible with this specific type of NEF file.

Programs that open Nikon Raw Image files

• Windows 3
• Mac 0
• Web 0

	ACDSee	Verified
	Able RAWer	Verified
	Bitberry File Opener	Verified

We have not yet verified any programs for Mac that work with this specific file format. If you know one, please use the 'Suggest a program' link below. Thanks!

We have not yet verified any web services that work with this specific file format. If you know one, please use the 'Suggest a program' link below. Thanks!

Last updated: January 25, 2022

Suggest another file format using extension NEF

While we know of one file format using the .NEF file extension, there may be more. It is widespread that different programs use files with the same file extension for very different types of data. Please let us know if you are aware of a different kind of .NEF file.

Various apps that use files with this extension

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

• Windows 10
• Mac 0
• Web 0

	Pixillion Image Converter	User submitted
	Photo Gallery	User submitted
	Adobe Photoshop	User submitted
	Nero BackItUp	User submitted
	Picasa Photo Viewer	User submitted

	PhotoPad Image Editor	User submitted
	Capture NX	User submitted
	Honeyview	User submitted
	Paint Shop Pro	User submitted
	Ashampoo Photo Commander	User submitted

We have not verified any software that we know for certain will work with NEF-files on Mac. If you know one, please use the 'Suggest a program' link below and tell us about it!

We have not verified any web services that we know for certain will work with NEF-files. If you know one, please use the 'Suggest a program' link below and tell us about it!