What is .txt?
.txt is the most basic file format that contains unformatted text. It uses standard character encoding (like ASCII or UTF-8) and contains no formatting, styles, images, or hidden metadata, ensuring it can be read by any computer or software.
This quick guide explains when to use .txt files, how to open them on any device, and how to share them instantly with FileXhost.
When to use .txt files
- You need to store notes, code snippets, or configuration data.
- You want a file that can be opened on literally any device or operating system.
- You need to strip formatting from text copied from the web or other documents.
- You are writing documentation or readme files that need to be lightweight.
How to open .txt files
TXT files open natively in thousands of applications, including Notepad (Windows), TextEdit (macOS), and all web browsers. You can also upload .txt files to FileXhost to share them as clean, readable web pages.
Algorithm details
TXT files store data as a sequence of characters. Each character is represented by a fixed number of bits (e.g., 7 or 8 bits for ASCII, variable for UTF-8). There is no compression algorithm applied by default, though text files compress extremely well when zipped.
Browser & platform support
- Desktop: Supported natively by 100% of web browsers.
- Mobile: Supported natively by all mobile browsers and operating systems.
- OS: Native support on every operating system ever created.
Format comparison
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Simplicity | The simplest possible format. Just text, nothing else. |
| Compatibility | The only format guaranteed to work on any computer from the 1970s to today. |
| Formatting | None. No bold, italics, fonts, or images. |
| Size | Extremely small, containing only the data bytes for the characters. |
How to create txt files
- Text Editors: Notepad, TextEdit, VS Code, Sublime Text.
- Command Line: 'echo hello > file.txt'.
- Word Processors: Save As > Plain Text (.txt).
How to convert txt files
- FileXhost: Upload to view or share.
- Any Editor: Open and Save As PDF, HTML, or DOCX.
- Browsers: Save page as Text File.
Advantages & disadvantages
Advantages
- Universal compatibility (time-proof and future-proof)
- Extremely lightweight and fast to load
- No hidden metadata or viruses (safest format)
- Easy to parse and process programmatically
Disadvantages
- No formatting (bold, italics, colors)
- No support for images or media
- Can look plain or boring for presentation
Tools & software
Viewers
Notepad, TextEdit, Web Browsers, any terminal
Editors
Notepad++, VS Code, Sublime Text, Vim, Emacs
Converters
Pandoc, CloudConvert, any word processor
Frequently asked questions
Why do I see weird characters in my text file?
This usually happens due to encoding mismatches (e.g., opening a UTF-8 file as ANSI). Using a modern editor like VS Code or Notepad++ usually fixes this automatically.
Can I convert TXT to Word?
Yes, you can open a text file in Word and save it as a .docx file. You can then add formatting like bold text and images.
Is TXT safer than Word?
Yes, much safer. Text files cannot contain macros or executable code that runs automatically, making them immune to most document-based viruses.
What is the difference between TXT and RTF?
TXT has no formatting. RTF (Rich Text Format) supports basic formatting like bold, italics, and fonts, but is less compatible than plain text.
Technical specs
- File type
- Document
- Extension
- .txt
- MIME type
- text/plain
- Compression
- Uncompressed
- Max file size on FileXhost
- Up to 25 MB per file on the free plan and up to 1 GB on Pro FileXhost accounts.
Share .txt files instantly
Upload your .txt file to FileXhost to get a clean, shareable URL in seconds. View the file in a modern browser, protect access with optional settings, and let others download it without any confusing ads or cluttered file pages.
Upload .txt file