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.PK file extension

To open .PK files on Windows, install a TeX distribution that includes the classic font utilities (for example, TeX Live).

To open a .pk file, use TeX font tools to inspect or convert it (for example, run the TeX Live utility "pktype" to view its contents). On phones/tablets there is usually no practical native support, so transfer the file to a desktop system with TeX tools installed.

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Last updated: June 11, 2026 · Reviewed by Julian Stricker

What “reviewed” means on this page
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  • Opening paths: whether Windows / macOS / Linux steps read plausibly for current OS dialogs and default apps; we remove fantasy menus and unsafe shortcuts.
  • Security framing: whether risk notes match the extension class (for example executables vs plain data) and whether affiliate wording does not contradict the security section.
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  • Limits: this is clarity and safety-messaging QA, not a guarantee that every statement is exhaustive or that every binary you download is harmless.

Full methodology in the Imprint — The Imprint also states where AI is used and what that does—and does not—replace.

Open on your device

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

How to open .PK files

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

Windows

  1. Install a TeX distribution that includes the classic font utilities (for example, TeX Live).
  2. Open a Command Prompt/terminal and run: pktype yourfont.pk to inspect the file’s contents (metadata and glyph information).
  3. If you need a different format for processing, convert with TeX utilities (for example, pktogf to convert PK to GF, or gftopk to produce PK from GF).
Full Windows guide

Mac

  1. Install TeX Live (or another TeX setup that provides the standard PK tools).
  2. In Terminal, run: pktype yourfont.pk to inspect/verify the PK file.
  3. Use conversion tools as needed: pktogf (PK → GF) or gftopk (GF → PK) for TeX/Metafont workflows.
Full Mac guide

Linux

  1. Install TeX Live packages that provide the PK utilities (the pktype tool is documented as a standard PK verifier/translator).
  2. Run in a terminal: pktype yourfont.pk to inspect the file and confirm it is a valid PK font.
  3. If you need to transform it, use pktogf (PK → GF) or gftopk (GF → PK) as appropriate.
Full Linux guide

iOS

  1. iOS typically cannot preview PK font files. Transfer the .pk to a desktop system with TeX tools and inspect it there using pktype.
Full iOS guide

Android

  1. Android typically does not have common apps for PK fonts. Move the file to a desktop OS and use TeX utilities like pktype to inspect it or convert it with pktogf/gftopk.
Full Android guide

Security notes

  • PK files are data-only bitmap font files, not executable programs, but they are parsed by complex tooling; only open/inspect PK files from sources you trust to reduce the risk of triggering parser bugs in font utilities.
  • Do not assume a .pk extension guarantees it is a TeX PK font—verify with pktype before using it in a toolchain.
  • Be cautious with automated build pipelines: untrusted PK inputs can still cause denial-of-service style issues (for example, unexpected parser behavior or resource usage) in font-processing tools.

If you did not expect this file

This extension is usually plain data, text, or structured content—not a program by itself. The practical risk is social engineering (a scam attachment or misleading filename). For trusted senders you rarely need heavy-handed antivirus wording; use these tools when you want an extra check on unexpected downloads.

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Can't open this file?

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

Common reasons

  • The .pk file won’t open in a viewer or editor
  • “Command not found” when running pktype/gftopk/pktogf
  • The file is not a valid PK font (or pktype reports errors)
  • TeX can’t find or use the PK font during typesetting

Fix steps

  1. Use TeX font utilities to inspect it (run pktype on the file).
  2. If you need an intermediate format for a font workflow, convert it using pktogf (PK → GF) or regenerate it from GF using gftopk.

OS-specific troubleshooting

What is a .PK file?

In its most common meaning, .pk is a Packed (PK) raster bitmap font format for TeX. PK files store bitmap glyphs in a compact, packed representation and are often produced from Metafont’s GF output via gftopk. Tools like pktype can verify and translate/print information about PK files, and pktogf can convert PK back to GF for further processing.

Background

PK (Packed) font files are part of the classic TeX/Metafont toolchain: Metafont typically produces a generic bitmap (GF) output, which is then converted into a more compact PK representation using gftopk. The TeX FAQ describes PK files specifically as “packed raster bitmap fonts for TeX,” reflecting their primary, practical use: storing bitmap glyphs for TeX to typeset at particular resolutions.

Because PK is a bitmap font format (not a document), most users do not “read” it directly. Instead, they inspect it to confirm what it contains (glyph ranges, checksums, dimensions) using pktype, or they convert it to/from related formats (GF) using tools like gftopk and pktogf.

On modern systems, PK files still appear in TeX distributions and build outputs, especially when using workflows that rely on bitmap fonts at specific device resolutions. Desktop TeX distributions commonly include the command-line tools needed to identify, verify, and convert PK files.

Common MIME types: application/x-tex-pk

Further reading

Authoritative resources for more details on the .PK format.

Common .PK issues

The .pk file won’t open in a viewer or editor

A PK file is a packed bitmap font for TeX, not a document or image format meant for general-purpose viewers.

  1. Use TeX font utilities to inspect it (run pktype on the file).
  2. If you need an intermediate format for a font workflow, convert it using pktogf (PK → GF) or regenerate it from GF using gftopk.

“Command not found” when running pktype/gftopk/pktogf

The required TeX utilities are not installed or not in your PATH.

  1. Install a TeX distribution that includes these tools (for example, TeX Live).
  2. Verify the tools are available by running pktype --help (or checking your TeX installation’s documentation) and ensure the TeX bin directory is on your PATH.

The file is not a valid PK font (or pktype reports errors)

The file may be corrupted, truncated, or not actually a TeX PK font despite the .pk extension.

  1. Re-download or re-copy the file (binary-safe transfer) and try pktype again.
  2. Confirm the file’s origin: PK fonts are typically produced by gftopk from Metafont GF output; if the source is unknown, it may be a different format using the same extension.

TeX can’t find or use the PK font during typesetting

Even if the PK file is valid, TeX-related tools may not locate it due to font map/path configuration or mismatched resolution/filename conventions.

  1. Confirm the font is the expected one by inspecting it with pktype (name/checksum/metrics-related info as shown by the tool).
  2. Ensure the PK file is placed in a location your TeX setup searches for fonts (consult your TeX distribution’s font path configuration) or regenerate the PK at the required resolution via the normal Metafont → GF → PK process (gftopk).

FAQ

What is a .pk file most commonly used for?

Most commonly, it is a TeX Packed (PK) raster bitmap font file used in TeX/Metafont workflows.

How do I quickly check whether my .pk file is really a TeX PK font?

Use the standard PK inspection tool pktype to verify and print information about the file.

Can I convert a .pk file to another TeX bitmap format?

Yes. The TeX tool pktogf converts PK to GF, and gftopk produces PK from GF.

Is application/x-tex-pk an official MIME type?

It is an unofficial “x-” style MIME type; the IANA media types registry is the authoritative list for standardized types, and “x-” types are not IANA-registered.

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