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.DJVU file extension

To open .DJVU files on Windows, install a DjVu-capable viewer from the DjVuLibre project (for example DjView/DjView4, as listed by DjVuLibre).

To open a .DJVU file, use a DjVu-capable viewer such as DjVuLibre/DjView or a document viewer that supports DjVu (for example, Evince on Linux). If your default viewer can’t open it, don’t rename the extension—install a compatible viewer instead.

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Last updated: April 30, 2026 · Reviewed by Julian Stricker

Open on your device

Choose your operating system for a dedicated step-by-step opening guide.

How to open .DJVU files

Use these platform-specific instructions to open .DJVU files safely.

Windows

  1. Install a DjVu-capable viewer from the DjVuLibre project (for example DjView/DjView4, as listed by DjVuLibre).
  2. Right-click the .DJVU file → Open with → choose the installed DjVu viewer and optionally set it as default.
Full Windows guide

Mac

  1. If your current viewer can’t open the file, use a DjVu viewer based on DjVuLibre (as referenced by the DjVuLibre project).
  2. After installing, Control-click the file → Open With → select the DjVu viewer.
Full Mac guide

Linux

  1. Open the file with Evince (Document Viewer), which supports DjVu (.djvu, .djv).
  2. If DjVu doesn’t open in Evince, install the DjVuLibre backend/library used by Evince on your distribution, then retry.
Full Linux guide

iOS

  1. iOS may not preview DjVu by default; if the Files app can’t show it, transfer the file to a desktop (Windows/macOS/Linux) and open it with a DjVu viewer such as DjVuLibre/DjView.
Full iOS guide

Android

  1. Android support varies by installed apps; if it won’t open in your current viewer, transfer the file to a desktop and open it with a DjVu viewer such as DjVuLibre/DjView.
Full Android guide

Security notes

  • DjVu files are not intended to contain scripts like office macros, but they are complex, compressed documents; treat DjVu from untrusted sources cautiously because vulnerabilities can exist in file parsers/decoders.
  • Prefer well-maintained viewers and libraries (for example, DjVuLibre-based software) and keep them updated to reduce risk from malformed files.
  • Be wary of “double extension” downloads (for example, something named .djvu.exe). A real DjVu document should end with .djvu or .djv, not an executable extension.

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Can't open this file?

These are the most common causes and fixes when .DJVU files fail to open.

Common reasons

  • The file won’t open in my default viewer
  • It opens, but pages render incorrectly or look corrupted
  • I expected a single image, but it behaves like a multi-page document
  • My system shows the wrong file type or won’t associate .djvu

Fix steps

  1. On Linux, try Evince (it lists DjVu support) and ensure the DjVuLibre backend is installed.
  2. On Windows/macOS, install a DjVuLibre-based viewer (for example DjView/DjView4) and open the file with it.

OS-specific troubleshooting

What is a .DJVU file?

DjVu (typically .djvu or .djv) is a file format used primarily for scanned documents that combines multiple compression techniques to keep files small while preserving readability. The format is built around a chunked container structure (e.g., FORM:DJVU) that can store page images and related data. The registered media type is image/vnd.djvu.

Background

DjVu is widely associated with scanned documents (books, academic papers, manuals) where efficient storage and distribution are important. Instead of being a simple “single image” format, DjVu is commonly used as a multi-page document format, similar in usage to PDF but optimized for scanned page imagery.

The format has an openly available specification and open-source decoder implementations, which is why multiple viewers and tools exist. A common open-source stack is DjVuLibre, which provides libraries and utilities used by viewers and other software.

On Linux desktops, DjVu is often handled like other document formats: the Evince document viewer supports DjVu (.djvu, .djv) via a DjVuLibre backend. On other platforms, support depends on installing a dedicated DjVu viewer or using a workflow that converts DjVu to another format using DjVu tools.

Common MIME types: image/vnd.djvu

Further reading

Authoritative resources for more details on the .DJVU format.

Common .DJVU issues

The file won’t open in my default viewer

Many default photo/document viewers don’t include DjVu support, especially outside Linux desktops where Evince is common.

  1. On Linux, try Evince (it lists DjVu support) and ensure the DjVuLibre backend is installed.
  2. On Windows/macOS, install a DjVuLibre-based viewer (for example DjView/DjView4) and open the file with it.

It opens, but pages render incorrectly or look corrupted

DjVu relies on correct decoding of its internal chunks and compression layers; problems can occur with incomplete downloads or incompatible/older decoders.

  1. Re-download or re-copy the file to ensure it’s complete.
  2. Try opening the same file in an alternative DjVu-capable viewer or with a newer DjVuLibre-based build.

I expected a single image, but it behaves like a multi-page document

DjVu is often used for scanned documents and can contain multiple pages; it may open in a document-style viewer rather than an image editor.

  1. Open it in a document viewer designed for paged reading (for example, Evince on Linux or a DjVu viewer such as DjView).
  2. Use the viewer’s page navigation or thumbnail pane to move between pages.

My system shows the wrong file type or won’t associate .djvu

File associations can be missing, or the extension may be unfamiliar to the OS.

  1. Open the file from within your DjVu viewer (File → Open) to confirm it’s readable.
  2. Set the default app association for .djvu/.djv to your DjVu viewer in your OS settings.

FAQ

What does .DJVU mean—an image or a document?

In practice it’s most commonly a scanned-document format that may contain multiple pages. It’s often handled by document viewers (for example, Evince on Linux) rather than simple image viewers.

Is .djv the same as .djvu?

They refer to the same DjVu format family; Evince lists support for both .djvu and .djv.

What is the correct MIME type for DjVu files?

The registered media type is image/vnd.djvu (IANA).

Can I make a DjVu file readable by renaming it to .pdf or .jpg?

No. Renaming only changes the filename extension; you need a DjVu-capable viewer or a proper conversion/export workflow using DjVu tools.

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