Linux File Command: How to Determine File Type in Linux

Introduction

The Linux file command helps determine the type of a file and its data. The command doesn't take the file extension into account, and instead runs a series of tests to discover the type of file data.

In this tutorial, we will show you how the file command works and how to use it.

Prerequisites

• A system running Linux.
• Access to the terminal window.

File Command Syntax

The file command uses the following basic syntax:

file [option] [file name]

In the syntax above, file name represents the name of the file you want to test. The file command performs three sets of tests trying to determine the file type, in this order:

• Filesystem tests perform a stat(2) system call and check the result against the system header file. This way, the file command determines if the file is a common type for your system (such as a text file, image, directory, etc.).
• Magic tests use a short string of numbers stored near the beginning of the file ("magic number") to test if the file is a binary executable and, if so, determine its type. The information needed to perform these tests is stored in /etc/magic or /usr/share/misc/magic from a compiled magic file.
• Language tests use a special tag to determine which programming language a binary executable file is written in.

The command output provides a short description of the file and data type. For instance, using the file command to test a text file:

file example.txt

File Command Options

The file command uses the following options:

Option	Description
--apple	Changes the command output to the one used by older versions of MacOS.
-b, --brief	Changes command output to brief mode.
-C, --compile	Creates an output file that contains a pre-parsed version of the magic file or directory.
-c, --checking-printout	Checks the printout for the parsed version of the magic file.
-d	Prints internal debugging information in the standard error format.
-E	On filesystem error, issues an error message and exits.
-e, --exclude	Excludes a test from the list of tests performed on a file.
--exclude-quiet	Excludes tests that the file command doesn't know about.
--extension	Prints a list of valid extensions for the file type.
-F, --separator	Uses the provided string as a separator between the file name and file type.
-f, --files-from	Uses a provided text file as a list of files to test. The list must contain only one file name per line.
-h, --no-deference	Disables following symbolic links.
-i, --mime	Changes the command output to a MIME-type string.
--mime-type, --mime-encoding	Changes the command output to a MIME-type string and only displays the specified element (type or encoding).
-k, --keep-going	Keeps the test going after the first results match.
-l, --list	Shows a list of matching patterns in descending order of strength.
-L, --deference	Enables following symbolic links.
-m, --magic-file	Uses an alternative magic file provided by the user.
-N, --no-pad	Doesn't pad the file names to align with the output.
-n, --no-buffer	Flushes the output after checking each file.
-p, --preserve-date	Attempts to preserve the last time the file was accessed to make it look like the file command didn't test it.
-P, --parameter	Sets various parameters, such as max bytes or recursion, count, and length limit.
-r, --raw	Disables translating unprintable characters.
-s, --special-files	Enables reading special files.
-S, --no-sandbox	Disables sandboxing on systems that support it.
-v, --version	Displays the version of the file command.
-z, --uncompress	Checks compressed files.
-Z, --uncompress-noreport	Checks compressed files and only displays file type without the compression.
-0, --print0	Displays a null character after the end of the file name.
--help	Displays the help message.

File Command Examples

Below are examples of common use cases for the file command.

Test Multiple Files

To test multiple files simultaneously, append the file names to the end of the file command:

file [file name 1] [file name 2] … [file name n]

For instance, testing a directory, a text file, an image, and a webpage:

file Example example.txt sample.png index.html

Test All Files in a Directory

Add a wildcard character (*) to the file command to test all the files and directories in the current working directory:

file *

Add the path to a directory to the wildcard character to test the contents of that directory:

file [path to directory]/*

For instance, to test the contents of the Example directory, use:

file Example/*

Test Files in a Range

The file command lets you test a subset of files in a directory using Regex-style ranges. Select a range by placing the values in brackets. For instance, testing files and directories with names in the a-l range:

file [a-l]*

Since Regex-style ranges are case-sensitive, the output in the example above only shows file types for files starting with lowercase a-l. Adding another range lets you include uppercase characters as well:

file [a-l]* [A-L]*

Test Files from a List

The file command lets you use a text file as a list of files to test. The text file must only contain one file name per line.

Use the -f option and add the path to the list file to file command:

file -f list.txt

Test Special Files

The file command is not always able to read special files, such as system files:

file /dev/sda5

In the example above, the file command output shows that /dev/sda5 is a block special file but doesn't offer additional details. Using the -s option lets you fully test special files:

sudo file -s /dev/sda5

Test Compressed Files

Use the -z option to fully test compressed files, trying to detect their content:

file -z install.tar.gz

Test Parsed Version of File

Using the -c option displays the check printout for the parsed version of the file:

file -c example.txt

This option is usually used with the -m option to debug and install a new magic file.

Display Brief Output

Using the -b option displays the brief version of the output. This version of the output only shows file types and omits file names.

file -b Example example.txt sample.png index.html

Add Separators to Output

Using the -F option lets you define a character that acts as a separator between the file name and file type sections of the output. For instance, add a plus sign (+) as a separator with:

file -F + Example example.txt sample.png index.html

Remove File Name Padding from Output

Use the -N option to remove the padding between the file name and file type sections of the output:

file -N Example example.txt sample.png index.html

The resulting output is no longer vertically aligned:

Conclusion

After reading this tutorial, you should be able to use the Linux file command to find out the types of files on your system.

If you're interested in learning more about Linux commands, have a look at our Linux commands cheat sheet.