since 2000
All about DICOM Files
The DICOM file type is primarily associated with GIMP.
What is a DICOM file
DICOM files mostly belong to GIMP by GIMP Team. DICOM is the filename extension of bitmap images saved in Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) file format developed by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. These files are used to store and distribute images captured by medical devices such as MRI, ultrasound, and CT scan machines. Apart graphics data, a DICOM file can also contain information (such as patient id) that links the image to a specific patient. The contents of DICOM files are grouped into multiple datasets, each with its own attributes and the pixel data in these objects may be compressed with lossy or lossless compression standards such as run-length or JPEG.
How to open a DICOM file
You need a suitable software like GIMP to open a DICOM file. You need a suitable software like GIMP from GIMP Team to open a DICOM 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 DICOM file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a DICOM file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.
Online DICOM File Viewer
or drag and drop it here
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How to convert a DICOM file to JPG, PNG, SVG, PDF, ...
You can convert DICOM files using our online DICOM file viewer (powered by Convert.Guru):- To do this, click the button "Choose your .dicom file to view this image" on this page.
- After your file is opened in browser,
- click "Save as..." in the menu.
- Then choose the image format (e.g. JPG, PNG, TIFF, PDF, ...) you want.
- Download the converted file.
Trouble Opening a .DICOM File? These Steps Will Help
Because .DICOM files originate from various specialized programs, they aren't universally openable.
- Identify the Source: These files often come from medical professionals sharing MRI scans, or designers working with raster images.
- Check the Header: Open the file in a hex viewer to inspect its first bytes:
- "DICM" at offset 128 indicates a standard medical image.
- Standard bitmap headers suggest a standard raster image.
- Use the Original Software: The original program is usually required; try medical viewers like MicroDicom, or raster image editors like GIMP (by the GIMP Team). If uncertain, ask the sender.
- Use this Webpage: Drag and drop your file onto this page to detect its format, extract readable metadata, and preview the contents.
DICOM file format:
If you can determine the file format, the associated program can also be determined. The first characters in a file identify the file format, for example, HTML files start with the bytes <html>. If the file extension does not match the file format, double-clicking on the file will cause an error upon opening. So a detailed analysis of a file is vital in order to determine the format and the associated program. Our examination of the DICOM files comes to the following conclusion:
DICOM is seldom used as a file extension and mainly uses a special format. However, the following two file formats are common:
- 90% of all DICOM files save the data in DICOM file format. DICOM is short for Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine. DICOM files are used to store, exchange, and transmit medical images from radiography, ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and radiation therapy, but also personal data about the patient. The content consists of illegible binary data, which can only be read and interpreted by the associated programs. Most of these files are 35 KB to 19 MB in size. The file type is a fairly new file format. The files contain the following words: DICM. A common filename is DICOMDIR.dicom. These files can be linked to page.
- 1% of all DICOM files are associated with DICOM medical imaging bitmap. The content consists of illegible binary data, which can only be read and interpreted by the associated programs. A typical file size is 440 bytes.
All other DICOM files (9%) have different formats. You can get all the details of your DICOM file by dragging it onto this page or by clicking the button "Choose your .dicom file to view this image" above.
Technical Data for DICOM File Extension
File classification:
Raster Image
Related files:
Mime type:
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: TheGIMP20
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\GIMP-2.2\bin\gimp-win-remote.exe %1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\GIMP-2.2\bin\gimp-win-remote.exe %1
ProgramID: TheGIMP20
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\GIMP-2.0\bin\gimp-win-remote.exe gimp-2.2.exe %1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\GIMP-2.0\bin\gimp-win-remote.exe gimp-2.2.exe %1
ProgramID: GIMP-2.0-dicom
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Gimp-2.0\bin\gimp-2.6.exe
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Gimp-2.0\bin\gimp-2.6.exe
a dicom bitmap is a special file format by GIMP Team and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.
How to solve problems with DICOM files
- Associate the DICOM file extension with the correct application.
- Update your software that should actually open bitmaps. Because only the current version supports the latest DICOM file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the GIMP Team manufacturer website after an available GIMP update.
- To make sure that your DICOM file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
- Click here to open your .DICOM file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.