file
Determine the type of a file by examining its content and magic bytes.
Synopsis
file [OPTION]... FILE...
Examples
file document.pdf
file -i image.png
file *
file -b archive.tar.gz
Common options
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
| -i | Output MIME type string |
| -b | Brief mode — omit filename |
| -z | Look inside compressed files |
| -L | Follow symlinks |
About file
The `file` command determine the type of a file by examining its content and magic bytes. File operation commands are essential for navigating and managing the Linux filesystem.
They form the backbone of everyday system administration and development workflows. Mastering these commands enables you to efficiently create, move, copy, and organize files and directories from the terminal, which is often faster and more scriptable than graphical alternatives.
The command accepts 4 commonly used flags shown above, though the full set of options is available in the man page (`man file`). The 4 examples on this page cover typical real-world usage patterns that you can copy and adapt for your own workflows.
Related commands
More File Operations Commands
Other commands in the File Operations category