SID File

What are SID files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a SID 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 SID files.

What is a SID file?

SID files have multiple uses, and Commodore 64 SID Music is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

Commodore 64 SID Music

These SID files contain music composed for the Commodore 64 SID (Sound Interface Device) sound chip.

The music was used in games and demoscene productions on the Commodore 64, a home computer popular in the 1980s and 1990s.

There are players and emulators for the PC that can play back these sound files on modern hardware.

How to open SID files

We have identified one SID opener that is compatible with this specific type of SID file.

Programs that open Commodore 64 SID Music files

Last updated: December 28, 2023

All known file formats using extension .SID

While Commodore 64 SID Music is a popular type of SID-file, we know of 4 different uses of the .SID file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

Steam Game Backup File

Files that contain the .sid file extension are most commonly associated with game data backup files that have been created by an application called Steam.

These files contain compressed game data that is used to back up games to, e.g., CD or DVD.

SID opener for Windows

We have identified 2 SID openers that are compatible with this specific type of SID file.

LizardTech MrSID Photo

The .sid file extension can also be used to save MrSID image files. These files are developed by Lizard Technologies for compressing large images.

The SID image files are created using multi-resolution seamless image database technology. These files are commonly used to store Large Geographic Information System (GIS) image files.

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

Sonnet Input Data

We know that one SID format is Sonnet Input 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 SID files. Remember, different programs may use SID 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 SID file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.