file flags & options

Basic usage

Identify a file's type by examining its contents.

file image.png

file mystery_binary

-i, --mime

Output the MIME type instead of a human-readable description.

file -i document.pdf

-b, --brief

Omit the filename from output. Just print the type.

file -b data.csv

-z

Look inside compressed files.

file -z archive.gz

-L, --dereference

Follow symbolic links and report the target's type.

file -L /usr/bin/python

-f, --files-from

Read filenames from a list file.

file -f filelist.txt

-k, --keep-going

Don't stop at the first match — show all possible types.

file -k ambiguous_file

-s, --special-files

Read block or character special files (devices).

file -s /dev/sda1

Multiple files

Pass multiple files at once.

file *.jpg *.png *.gif