How to view a .ARW file online
No app, no account, no upload.
Open your .ARW
Drag a .ARW file straight from your memory card onto the viewer, or choose it from your device. It's read right here, so even a 60 MB original opens without uploading.
View the photo and settings
We show the largest preview the camera saved, with shutter speed, aperture, ISO, lens, date, location and a histogram.
Save a JPG
Export the preview as JPG, PNG or WEBP to share it right away. Rotation from the camera is applied.
What is a .ARW file?
Everything worth knowing about Sony Alpha Raw (Sony digital camera raw image).
An ARW file is a raw image from a Sony Alpha (or Cyber-shot) camera - the unprocessed sensor data, like a digital negative. On Windows, install the free Raw Image Extension from the Microsoft Store to see thumbnails; use Sony's free Imaging Edge Desktop to open and develop ARW. To share, convert to JPG.
Programs that open .ARW files
- Windows
- darktable, RawTherapee, Adobe Lightroom / Photoshop (Camera Raw), Raw Image Extension (Microsoft Store), Sony Imaging Edge Desktop, XnView MP / XnConvert
- macOS
- darktable, Apple Photos / Preview, Sony Imaging Edge Desktop
- Linux
- darktable, RawTherapee, GIMP (+ darktable/RawTherapee plugin)
| Full name | Sony Alpha Raw (Sony digital camera raw image) |
|---|---|
| Developer | Sony |
| First released | 2005 (Sony Alpha line, succeeding Konica Minolta's SRF/SR2); still in use on current Sony bodies |
| Category | Images |
| MIME type | image/x-sony-arw |
| Signature | 49 49 2A 00 ("II*\0" - little-endian TIFF header) |
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Frequently asked questions
Is my .ARW file uploaded?
No. The viewer reads your .ARW file. RAW files are big and personal, so they never leave your device.
Is this the real RAW image?
It's the full-size JPEG preview the camera stored inside the RAW file, which is what the camera displays. It has the camera's own colors and white balance. Developing the raw sensor data with your own settings is coming soon.
Why is the preview small for my camera?
Some older cameras (and Sigma, Kodak and Minolta models) only embed a small thumbnail. The panel tells you the preview size and how it compares to the sensor.
Where does the location come from?
From the GPS data your camera or phone saved in the file. If you share the photo, remember this data travels with the original RAW.
Can I convert RAW to JPG here?
Yes: open the file and use Save as JPG. You'll get the camera's preview in full quality. For edited exports with your own exposure and color, use a RAW editor until our developer arrives.
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