All about MAT Files

The MAT file type is primarily associated with MATLAB.

MAT	File extension: MAT
	File type:	workspace variables

What is a MAT file?

MAT files mostly belong to MATLAB by MathWorks. MAT is the filename extension of materials used by Vue, a 3D animation software. The MAT file contains 2D textures and images applied to 3D objects that make up a 3D scene. 3DS MAX, a 3D animation software also saves materials in MAT files. Creo, Bryce, Animation:Master, Poser, and several other 3D design programs save materials in MAT files. However, such materials only contain textures and lighting information applied to the surfaces in a 3D scene. MAT is also the filename extension of the workspace variables file used by MATLAB programming language and computing environment. This MAT file contains functions, arrays, interfaces, structs, scalars, matrices and variables (of strings, integers, and floats) used in a MATLAB workspace. Access, a relational database management software uses MAT files as shortcuts that point to its database tables. ArcGIS, a geographic information system software saves geocoding matching parameters in MAT files.

How do you open MAT files?

You need a suitable software like MATLAB to open a MAT file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your MAT file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a MAT file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online MAT File Viewer

Choose your .mat file to view

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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How to extract texts from MAT files or capture a screenshot to PDF, JPG, DOCX, TXT, ...

You can extract texts from MAT file or capture a preview screenshot using our online MAT file viewer:

To do so, click the "Choose your .mat file to view" button above.
After your file is opened in browser,
click "Save as..." in the menu.
Then choose the file format (e.g. JPG, PDF, DOCX, TXT, ...) you want.
Download the converted file.

Programs that open and convert MAT files:

MATLAB by MathWorks
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. MAT files are often referred to as MATLAB data files because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
3DS MAX (material library) by Autodesk
3DS MAX is a cross-platform 3D modeling and animation software with state-of-the-art tools for creating animations, games, virtual worlds, and 3D images. The materials library containing textures and lighting information applied to surfaces created with 3DS MAX is stored in a MAT file. This file format is classified as 3D Image.
Access (table shortcut) by Microsoft
Access is a relational database management system with a graphical user interface and database engine for creating enterprise applications. MAT files created by Acess are shortcuts to its database tables. This file format is classified as Data.
Animation:Master (material) by Hash
Animation:Master is a 2D/3D modeling and animation software used to model and create 2D/3D worlds and characters. Materials used in Animation:Master models and animations are saved in MAT files. This file format is classified as 3D Image.
ArcGIS (geocoding matching parameters) by ESRI
ArcGIS is a cross-platform geographic information system (GIS) software with tools for creating, editing, and visualizing maps and other geographic information. Its geocoding matching parameters are stored in MAT files. This file format is classified as GIS.
Creo (material properties data) by PTC
Creo is a 3D product development, design, and manufacturing software that is typically used to design automotive parts. MAT is the filename extension of the file containing material properties applied to designs created with Creo. This file format is classified as CAD.
CRiSP Harvest (maturation data) by School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences, University of Washington
CRiSP Harvest is a program that simulates the harvest of 30 chinook salmon stocks by 25 different fisheries across Southeast Alaska and Oregon over an extended period. The MAT file used by CRiSP Harvest contains maturation data for stocks listed in the maturation schedule (MSC) file. This file format is classified as Data.
Freelancer (model textures) by Microsoft
Freelancer is a discontinued video game in which players assume the role of space pilots who trade and engage in combat across 48 known stars in the galaxy. MAT files used in Freelancer contained game model textures that are combined with CMP files to produce a three dimensional model. This file format is classified as Game. Related links: Lancers Reactor
Octave (matrix) by John W. Eaton et. al.
Octave is an integrated environment for performing advanced numerical computation and data visualization using a high-level, batch-oriented programming language. The ASCII matrix file created by Octave has MAT filename extension. This file format is classified as Data.
Ox (matrix) by Jurgen A. Doornik
Ox is a command line software and matrix programming language compatible with Linux, Windows, and Mac environments. The ASCII matrix file used by Ox has MAT filename extension. This file format is classified as Data.
Poser (material library) by Bondware
Poser is a 3D modeling and animation software primarily used to model human figures. Material libraries created with Poser are stored in MAT files. This file format is classified as 3D Image.
RCSWin (material) by RCS
RCSWin is a software package for designing, analyzing, and estimating the cost of shell and tube heat exchangers. Materials used by RCSWin are saved in MAT files. This file format is classified as CAD.
Vue (materials) by e-on
Vue is a cross-platform 3D world generation software. It offers professional CG artists a complete toolset for creating realistic natural environments that can be rendered in various 3D applications. The images and textures applied to 3D objects in a scene created with Vue are stored in MAT (materials) files. This file format is classified as Raster Image.

MAT file format details:

If you can determine the file format, the associated program can also be determined. Often, the file format can be deduced from the file extension or the initial bytes (called the signature). If the file extension or signature does not match the file format, errors will occur when opening or editing the file. If there are problems opening a file, you must first determine the file format used. Our evaluation of the MAT files looks like this:

You will often come across the MAT file type. This covers different formats for different programs. The following file formats are most commonly found in MAT files:

65% of all MAT files are SMS Material files, which are based on the MATLAB file format. The MATLAB format is binary data container format and was developed by MathWorks MATLAB, an application used for mathematical computations such as analyzing data, developing algorithms, and building models. They consist of unreadable binary data. MAT files can be up to 2 GB in size, but are often around 580 bytes - 16 MB. The file type was developed 10 years ago and is still in use today. Several words can almost always be found in the files, e.g. Created on, MAT-file, Platform, MATLAB 5, 0 MAT-file and PCWIN64, Created. These files can be linked to data, dataset, matlab, extensions, exiobase, labels, land, predicted, labeled, matrix, signal, depth, cars and txrx.
7% of all MAT files use the Microsoft Compound File format, which is also known by the name OLE2 Compound Document Format or Composite Document File Format. This is a complex container format used by earlier versions of Microsoft Office and other Windows programs. Compound files begin always with signature bytes D0 CF 11 E0 A1 B1 1A E1 (ÐÏà¡±á). Sections and streams in the file are named ClassDirectory3, DllDirectory, MatLib, ScriptedCustAttribDefs, SaveConfigData and FileAssetMetaData3. The files are 20 KB to 430 KB in size, with a median of 100 KB. A usual file name is Bricks.mat. These files can be linked to library, corona and glass.

All other MAT files (28%) have no consistent format, the following 7 formats can be found: GNU Octave Matrix data, YAML, val, Diffuse and material. Tagged as base, submission, tenant, sqex, material, black, blend, flair, truck or inst. If you want to find out what your MAT file contains, drag and drop it onto this page.

Technical Data for MAT File Extension

File classification:

Data

Related files:

fig, math, hea, m, zip, vbb, gobj, check, meta, pxp, jpg, ecg, psk, 43, slx, pskx, mtl, txt, inst, h5, edf, st, grl

Related links:

Octave

Mime type:

application/matlab-mat, application/x-matlab-data, text/x-yaml

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: Bryce5MaterialPreset, FileType: Bryce5 MaterialPreset, AppName: Bryce5

ProgramID: Access.Shortcut.Table.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ARCHIV~1\MICROS~1\ACCESS~1\Office10\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP /SHELLSYSTEM [OpenTable %1]

ProgramID: Access.Shortcut.Table.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MI1933~1\Office10\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP /SHELLSYSTEM [OpenTable %1]

ProgramID: Access.Shortcut.Table.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MI1933~1\OFFICE11\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP /SHELLSYSTEM [OpenTable %1]

ProgramID: Access.Shortcut.Table.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MI1933~1\Office\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP /SHELLSYSTEM [OpenTable %1]

ProgramID: Access.Shortcut.Table.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Access 97\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP /SHELLSYSTEM [OpenTable %1]

ProgramID: Access.Shortcut.Table.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP /SHELLSYSTEM [OpenTable %1]

ProgramID: Access.Shortcut.Table.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MICROS~1\Office10\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP /SHELLSYSTEM [OpenTable %1]

ProgramID: Access.Shortcut.Table.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MICROS~1\OFFICE11\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP /SHELLSYSTEM [OpenTable %1]

ProgramID: Access.Shortcut.Table.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MICROS~1\Office\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP /SHELLSYSTEM [OpenTable %1]

ProgramID: Access.Shortcut.Table.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\msaccrt\Access 97\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP /SHELLSYSTEM [OpenTable %1]

ProgramID: Access.Shortcut.Table.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\OfficeXP\Office10\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP /SHELLSYSTEM [OpenTable %1]

ProgramID: Access.Shortcut.Table.1
EXEFile: W:\OfficeXP\FILES\PFILES\MSOFFICE\OFFICE10\MSACCESS.EXE

ProgramID: konvertor
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Konvertor\Konvertor.exe %1

ProgramID: matfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MatLab7\bin\win32\matlab.exe -r load('%1')

ProgramID: Access.Shortcut.Table.1
EXEFile: C:\Peach99\Office\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP /SHELLSYSTEM [OpenTable %1]

ProgramID: Access.Shortcut.Table.1
EXEFile: C:\Access97\Office\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP /SHELLSYSTEM [OpenTable %1]

ProgramID: matfile
EXEFile: F:\MATLAB6p5\bin\win32\matlab.exe -r load('%1')

ProgramID: Winamp.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Winamp\Winamp.exe %1

ProgramID: matfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MATLAB6p5\bin\win32\matlab.exe -r load('%1')

ProgramID: matfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MATLAB\bin\win32\matlab.exe -r load('%1')

ProgramID: Access.Shortcut.Table.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MICROS~2\Office12\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP /SHELLSYSTEM [OpenTable]

ProgramID: Access.Shortcut.Table.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MI69DF~1\Office12\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP /SHELLSYSTEM [OpenTable]

ProgramID: Access.Shortcut.Table.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MSOffice95\Access\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP /SHELLSYSTEM [OpenTable]

ProgramID: dswin.document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\DSwin32\Dswin32.exe

ProgramID: Access.Shortcut.Table.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MICROS~2\ART\Office\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP /SHELLSYSTEM [OpenTable]

ProgramID: Access.Shortcut.Table.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MI1933~1\Office12\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP /SHELLSYSTEM [OpenTable]

ProgramID: Bryce5MaterialPreset
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Corel\BRYCE5~1\Bryce5.exe

ProgramID: Access.Shortcut.Table.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office10\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP /SHELLSYSTEM [OpenTable]

ProgramID: Access.Shortcut.Table.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MI3369~1\Office12\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP /SHELLSYSTEM [OpenTable]

ProgramID: matfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MATLAB\R2006b\bin\win32\matlab.exe -r load('%1')

ProgramID: matfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\DAZ\Bryce 5.5\Bryce55.exe

ProgramID: Access.Shortcut.Table.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MICROS~2\Art\Office10\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP /SHELLSYSTEM [OpenTable]

Show all 33 listings To Top

a mat workspace variable is a special file format by MathWorks and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with MAT files

Associate the MAT file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open workspace variables. Because only the current version supports the latest MAT file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the MathWorks manufacturer website after an available MATLAB update.
To make sure that your MAT file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .MAT file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.