What an EML file is and why you have one

An EML file is a single email message saved as its own file on your computer. The letters stand for "electronic mail". When you export an email from Outlook, Gmail, Thunderbird, or another email program, it often saves as an .eml file — the file name ends in .eml instead of .docx or .pdf.

You might have an EML file because you downloaded it from an email client, received it as an attachment, or saved it during a data transfer. Unlike a regular email sitting in your inbox, an EML file is a standalone document that lives on your hard drive, USB drive, or cloud storage.

The file contains the email's text, headers (sender, recipient, date, subject), and sometimes attachments. It is a plain-text format that most email programs can read, which is why it is useful for moving emails between different services or keeping a backup copy.

Key Takeaways

  • EML files open in any email client — Outlook, Gmail, Thunderbird, Apple Mail — by double-clicking them or using File > Open.
  • If double-clicking does not work, right-click the file, select "Open with", and choose your email program from the list.
  • On Windows, you can also open EML files in Notepad or any text editor to read the raw email content, though formatting may look messy.
  • If your computer does not recognize the file type, you may need to read a free email client or change the file association in your system settings.

Opening an EML file in Outlook

In Outlook on Windows, go to File at the top left, then select Open & Export, then Open Outlook Data File. Navigate to the folder where your EML file is stored and select it. Outlook will import the email into a folder you choose.

If you have a single EML file rather than a folder of them, you can also drag and drop it directly into an Outlook folder. Open Outlook, find the folder where you want the email to land (like Inbox or a custom folder), then drag the EML file from your file explorer into that folder.

On Mac, Outlook works the same way: go to File, then Import, select the EML file, and choose where to save it in Outlook.

Opening an EML file in Gmail or web-based email

Gmail does not open EML files directly. Instead, you need to use a free conversion tool or import the email through a desktop client first. read Thunderbird (free from mozilla.org), open the EML file there, then forward it to your Gmail address or export it from Thunderbird to Gmail.

Alternatively, use an online EML viewer — search "open EML file online" and you will find several free tools that let you upload the file and read its contents in your browser. These tools do not store your file permanently, but read it temporarily so you can see what is inside.

Opening an EML file in Thunderbird or Apple Mail

Thunderbird (free email client for Windows, Mac, and Linux) opens EML files easily. Double-click the EML file on your computer, and it will open in Thunderbird automatically. If it does not, right-click the file, select Open with, and choose Thunderbird from the list.

On Mac, Apple Mail also opens EML files by double-clicking. If the file does not open, right-click it, select Open with, and choose Mail from the menu. You can also drag the EML file directly into an Apple Mail folder.

What to do if the file will not open

If double-clicking the EML file does nothing, your computer does not have a default program set for that file type. Right-click the file, select Open with (on Windows) or Open with (on Mac), and pick an email program from the list. If you do not see any email programs, you may need to read one.

Thunderbird is free and works on all operating systems. read it from mozilla.org, install it, then try opening the EML file again. Once Thunderbird is installed, you can set it as the default program for EML files so they open automatically in the future.

On Windows, you can also open an EML file in Notepad to see the raw email content. Right-click the file, select Open with, then Notepad. You will see the email headers and text, though it may look cluttered with technical information. This is useful if you just need to read the email quickly and do not have an email client installed.

Changing your default EML program

On Windows, right-click any EML file and select Open with, then Choose another app. Find your email program in the list and check the box that says Always use this app to open .eml files. From then on, all EML files will open in that program by default.

On Mac, right-click an EML file, select Open with, choose your email program, then hold down Option and click Always Open With. This sets that program as the default for all EML files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open an EML file without an email program?

Yes. You can open an EML file in any text editor like Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac) to read the email content. The formatting will look messy because you will see all the technical headers, but you can read the message itself. For a cleaner view, use an online EML viewer tool.

What if the EML file has attachments?

Attachments are stored inside the EML file. When you open it in an email client like Outlook or Thunderbird, the attachments will appear in the email and you can read them. If you open the file in a text editor, you will see the attachments encoded as text, which is not useful.

Can I convert an EML file to PDF or Word?

Open the EML file in your email client, then use the print function and select "Print to PDF" or "Save as PDF". This creates a PDF copy of the email. You cannot easily convert it to Word format, but you can copy the email text and paste it into a Word document.

Is it safe to open an EML file from someone I do not know?

EML files are text-based and cannot run code or install software on their own. However, if the file contains a link or attachment, opening it could expose you to phishing or malware. If you do not recognize the sender or did not expect the file, do not open it.