PCAP File

What are PCAP files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a PCAP 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 PCAP files.

What is a PCAP file?

PCAP files have multiple uses, and Extended TCPDUMP's Style Capture is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

Extended TCPDUMP's Style Capture

We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

How to open PCAP files

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

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

Last updated: November 9, 2022

All known file formats using extension .PCAP

While Extended TCPDUMP's Style Capture is a popular type of PCAP-file, we know of 2 different uses of the .PCAP file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

TCPDUMP Packet Capture Data

We know that one PCAP format is TCPDUMP Packet Capture Data. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Various apps that use files with this extension

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