PGN File - opening and understanding
Did your computer fail to open a PGN file? We explain what they are used for and recommend software that we know can open or otherwise handle your .PGN files.
What is a PGN file?
The .pgn file extension is most commonly associated with Picatinny Arsenal Electronic Formstore image files. The PGN files are a TIFF file format used by Picatinny Arsenal Electronic Formstore. The PGN files are compressed image files stored in a lossless compression format.
The .pgn file extension is also used for Portable Game Notation files.
How to open PGN files
You will need a program compatible with the specific file you are trying to open, as different programs may use files with file extension PGN for different purposes.
While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested 10 different PGN openers which you will find listed below.
Suggest another file format using extension PGN
While we know of one file format using the .PGN 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 .PGN file.
Various viewers for this file format
These apps are known to open certain types of PGN files. Remember, different programs may use PGN files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.
 | ChessBase | User submitted |
 | ChessBase Light | User submitted |
 | ICC Dasher | User submitted |
 | WinBoard Startup Dialog | User submitted |
 | ChessBase Reader | User submitted |
 | Shredder Classic | User submitted |
 | MaxQi | User submitted |
 | AjedrezNet | User submitted |
 | KChess Elite | User submitted |
 | Arena | User submitted |
Not sure exactly what type of file you are trying to open? Try our new File Analyzer. It is a free tool that can identify more than 11,000 different kinds of files - most likely yours too! It will help you find software that can handle your specific type of file. Download File Analyzer here.