How to view a .NEF file online
No app, no account, no upload.
Open your .NEF
Drag a .NEF 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 .NEF file?
Everything worth knowing about Nikon Electronic Format (Nikon camera raw image).
A NEF file is a raw image from a Nikon 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 Nikon's free NX Studio to edit. To share, convert to JPG; to archive, convert to DNG.
Programs that open .NEF files
- Windows
- darktable, RawTherapee, Adobe Lightroom / Photoshop (Camera Raw), IrfanView (+ RAW plugin), Nikon NX Studio, Raw Image Extension (Microsoft Store)
- macOS
- darktable, Apple Photos / Preview, Nikon NX Studio
- Linux
- darktable, RawTherapee, GIMP (+ darktable/RawTherapee plugin)
| Full name | Nikon Electronic Format (Nikon camera raw image) |
|---|---|
| Developer | Nikon |
| First released | circa 1999 (Nikon D1); still in use on current Nikon bodies |
| Category | Images |
| MIME type | image/x-nikon-nef |
| Signature | 49 49 2A 00 ("II*\0" - little-endian TIFF header (most NEFs)) |
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Frequently asked questions
Is my .NEF file uploaded?
No. The viewer reads your .NEF 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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