.txtdocument
TXT
Plain Text File
MIME type: text/plain
TXT is the simplest file format — plain text with no formatting. It's universally compatible, human-readable, and the foundation of all text-based computing.
Advantages
- +Universal compatibility — opens on any device
- +Tiny file sizes
- +No formatting complications
- +Cannot contain viruses or malware
- +Perfect for logs, configs, data
Limitations
- -No formatting (no bold, italic, fonts, colors)
- -No embedded images or media
- -No structure beyond line breaks
- -Character encoding can cause issues (UTF-8 vs ASCII)
Common Use Cases
README filesConfiguration filesLog filesNotes and draftsData interchange
Technical Details
TXT files contain raw character data encoded in UTF-8, ASCII, or other character encodings. Line endings vary by OS: \n (Unix/Mac), \r\n (Windows), \r (old Mac). No metadata, no structure — just characters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a TXT file?
A TXT file is a plain text file containing unformatted text. It's the simplest file format, readable by any device or program.