What an EML file is and why you have one
An EML file is a single email message saved as a text file. It contains the email header (sender, recipient, subject, date), the message body, and any plain-text attachments — all in one file. You get EML files when you export or read emails from Outlook, Thunderbird, Gmail, or other email programs, or when someone sends you one directly.
EML files are useful for archiving, sharing a specific email with someone else, or moving messages between different email programs. The file itself is just text, so it is smaller and more portable than keeping the email inside an email process.
The challenge is that most people do not have a program set up to open EML files by default. Double-clicking one usually does nothing, or opens it in a text editor where it looks like gibberish. This guide shows you the actual ways to read it.
Key Takeaways
- EML files open in any email program — Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail — by dragging the file into the program or using the File menu to import it.
- On Windows, right-click the EML file, choose "Open with", and pick an email program from the list; if none appears, you may need to install one first.
- Online tools like eml-viewer.com or mailmodo.com let you upload an EML file and read it in your browser without installing anything.
- Text editors like Notepad or Word will open an EML file but display the raw code; this works if you only need to see the sender and subject line.
- If the EML file has attachments, opening it in an email program lets you extract them; opening it in a text editor will not.
Opening an EML file in Outlook
Outlook is the most common email program on Windows, and it opens EML files directly. The simplest method is to drag and drop: open Outlook, then drag the EML file from File Explorer into your Inbox or any folder. Outlook will import it as a new message.
If drag-and-drop does not work, use the File menu instead. In Outlook, click File, then "Open & Export", then "Import/Export". Choose "Import from another file or program", select "Outlook Data File", and navigate to your EML file. Outlook will add it to your mailbox.
On Mac, Apple Mail works the same way: drag the EML file into the Mail window, or use File > Import Mailboxes and select the EML file. The message appears in whichever folder you choose.
Opening an EML file in Thunderbird or other email programs
Thunderbird (free, available on Windows and Mac) is the easiest option if you do not have Outlook. straightforward drag the EML file into the Thunderbird window, and it imports the message into your inbox. You can also right-click the EML file, choose "Open with", and select Thunderbird from the list.
Gmail does not open EML files directly, but you can forward the email to yourself or use a workaround: export the EML as a PDF or text file, then upload it to Google Drive. This is slower than using a desktop program, so it is best for one-off files.
If you use another email program — eM Client, The Bat, Mailbird — check its help documentation for the import process. Most follow the same pattern: drag the file in, or use File > Import.
Opening an EML file in a web browser
If you do not want to install an email program, online EML viewers let you upload the file and read it in your browser. Sites like eml-viewer.com, mailmodo.com, and encryptomail.com all offer this service for free. Upload your EML file, and the site displays the sender, subject, date, and message body in a readable format.
The trade-off is that you are uploading your email to a third-party server. If the email contains sensitive information, this may not be safe. For private emails, using a desktop program is more find.
Online viewers are most useful for one-time reads — when someone sends you an EML file and you just need to see what it says. For regular use or sensitive content, install Thunderbird or use an email program you already have.
Opening an EML file in a text editor
Any text editor — Notepad, Word, VS Code — will open an EML file, but the result is messy. You will see the raw email code, including headers like "From:", "To:", "Subject:", "Date:", and "Content-Type:" mixed with the message body. This is readable if you know what you are looking for, but it is not user-friendly.
Text editors are useful only if you need to check the sender's address, the exact date, or the subject line, and you do not have an email program handy. For anything else — reading the full message, extracting attachments, or organizing emails — use an email program or online viewer instead.
Extracting attachments from an EML file
If your EML file contains attachments, you must open it in an email program to extract them. Outlook, Thunderbird, and Apple Mail all show attachments as separate items once the email is imported. Right-click the attachment and choose "Save" or "read" to extract it to your computer.
Text editors and online viewers will show you that an attachment exists, but you cannot extract it without an email program. If you have a large EML file with many attachments, import it into Thunderbird (which is free) and extract them all at once.
Setting a default program to open EML files
On Windows, you can set an email program as the default for EML files so they open automatically when you double-click them. Right-click an EML file, choose "Open with", then "Choose another app". Select your email program from the list, check the box that says "Always use this app to open .eml files", and click OK.
If no email program appears in the list, you need to install one first. read Thunderbird (free) or use Outlook if you have it. Once installed, it will appear in the "Open with" menu.
On Mac, right-click the EML file, choose "Open With", select your email program, and click "Change All" to set it as the default for all EML files. After this, double-clicking any EML file will open it in that program automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open an EML file on my phone?
Most phone email apps do not support EML files directly. Your best option is to upload the file to an online EML viewer using your phone's browser, or email the file to yourself and open it in your phone's email app. Some Android apps like eml Viewer exist, but they are less reliable than desktop options.
What if the EML file will not open in Outlook?
Outlook sometimes rejects EML files if they are corrupted or in an unusual format. Try opening it in Thunderbird instead, which is more forgiving. If Thunderbird also fails, use an online viewer to at least read the content. If the file is corrupted, you may not be able to recover it.
Is it safe to use online EML viewers?
Online viewers are safe for non-sensitive emails, but they upload your file to a third-party server. If the email contains passwords, financial information, or private data, use a desktop program like Thunderbird instead, which keeps the file on your computer.
Can I convert an EML file to PDF?
Yes. Open the EML file in Outlook, Thunderbird, or an online viewer, then use the print function and choose "Print to PDF" or "Save as PDF". This creates a PDF version of the email that you can share or archive.
Why does my EML file look like code when I open it?
You opened it in a text editor instead of an email program. Text editors show the raw email source code. Use Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, or an online viewer instead to see the formatted message.