What is EML File, Format, Means, MIME Type? All Explained

Learn everything about the EML file in depth and cover all the related information to it for better comprehension.

what is eml file format

Developer: Microsoft Office
Popularity: Very Common & Highly Popular
Used by: Microsoft Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Windows Mail, and Outlook Express.

If you have ever exported or received an email message in the form of an .eml file format, you may have wondered ‘What is EML File?’. As we all know, the digital world is completely reliant on email communication and data management. Especially if you're dealing with migrated email messages and archived email messages. At some point, we are all familiar with that EML files usually preserve a single email message outside of an email client. But have you ever given it a thought to what those files contain, why it is essential, what are the usage of these files or even what EML stands for? Probably all you are looking for are these answers, then you are on the right article with the right intent.

In this blog, we throw light only on ‘EML Files’. We’ll cover what is EML file format, MIME type, structure, types and much more. This guide will help you dive deep into Everything About EML Files.

What is EML File? Quick Review

EML file format is a standard file format used to store individual email messages. When you save that EML file from an email client, it converts into the EML File Extension that is ‘.eml’. After saving the .eml file on your pc, that particular file is a full email message, which indicates MIME type of EML file. All parts of an email, like header, MIME header, body and attachments, are preserved in an individual file that presents the structure of the EML file.

As these EML file contains information about sender & receiver, date & time, message body, subject, inline and attached files, delivery headers, etc. Email archiving, backup, as digital forensic evidence, and email migration are all purposes of using EML files.

What is EML File? Full Form, Format & Purpose

The term EML file stands for Electronic Mail File, which means storing electronic messages or data in a standardised format. An EML file format refers to digital data that saves individual email messages. It was originally developed for Outlook Express by Microsoft, but it is largely supported by multiple email clients like Apple Mail, Windows Mail, and Mozilla Thunderbird and others. The primary purpose of developing an EML file is to store or preserve the originality of the metadata and formatting of an email, including headers, inline images, content and attachments.

Key Features of an Electronic Mail File

  • Stores Email Messages: It preserves incoming, outgoing, and achieved emails. Also, with full message data covers sender, receiver, subject, and body information.
  • Supports Attachments: It also handles inline images, documents and links embedded in email messages.
  • Organised Folder: Enable custom folder creation and organisation of emails into several folders.
  • Compatibility: EML files are compatible and lightweight with multiple email clients, including Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Outlook, etc.
  • Metadata Management: This file format stores metadata such as priority, read/unread status, timestamps and tags.
  • Supports Synchronisation: It transfers files between the local file and the server. It allows syncing with an email server for certain types (.ost file).
  • Security & Privacy Feature: May include encryption for secure storage.

What is EML File Extension?

When you export an email through an email client, the file saves in the EML file extension, which is .eml format that follows the Internet Message Format Standards (RFC 5322). It’s one of the file formats which stores all the essential elements of an email, including:

  • Sender and Receiver Information
  • Subject
  • Timestamp
  • Email Body
  • Attachments

EML File MIME Type

MIME stands for Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions. A key element to handle email files’ MIME type, which helps to identify the nature of the file data or email content. The MIME type of (Electronic Message File) is: "message/rfc822"

MIME type indicates that the file is loaded with email data or message, including headers and body according to the Internet Message Format Standard (RFC 5322). This IMFS allows for recognising and processing the file in a correct way to web browsers, email servers and applications.

What is EML File Format?

If you’re wondering what is EML file format? Let me connect you with MIME type. As EML file format follows the MIME standards to store email data in text format that supports HTML and text emails. It retains all email metadata like standardised header and body message sections, as well as embedded hyperlinks, attachments and images. And EML file format is portable with several email applications.

Electronic Mail File Structure

The structure of EML files makes us understand how email content or data is stored. It’s important to get informed about what is EML file structure is to know what you’re dealing with, and it includes three main parts:

  • Header Section: Sender, Receive, CC, BCC, Subject line, Date & Time.
  • Body Section: Text, HTML format.
  • Attachments: Embedded and attached files, encoded in base64 format according to MIME standards.

List of What Does .eml File Contain?

Let’s highlight the sections contained in EML files. Generally, an EML file contains:

  • Email Header: Sender, Recipient, Subject.
  • Body Content: HTML, Text, or Both.
  • Inline Attachments: Documents, Images, Hyperlinks.
  • Embedded Media
  • Encoding Information

    • In brief, an .eml format file contains all the information which is visible in an email message. A sender or recipient can also save those email messages in a structured or portable format for future reference.

    What does EML File Look Like?

    Are you curious to know how exactly the EML file looks like? So read carefully and patiently. When you open and see .eml file like in a Notepad (text editor), it looks like a structured block but plain or simple text. Also, the header is followed by the body and attachments email data as well.

    It might be possible that you have a question in your mind like, what if we open EML file through any email client? So here is the solution, open .eml file in an email client, it will look like a normal email with attachments, clickable hyperlinks and formatted content.

    What is EML File Used For?

    After having a good understanding of what is EML file, let’s shed light on the usage of .eml format file. There are several uses where an EML file is used, as they are:

    • Email Migration: Transferring emails between multiple email clients like Outlook, Thunderbird, etc.
    • Legal and Forensic Analysis: .eml files can be proof in legal and forensic investigations. It provides security as well.
    • Data Backup and Restore: Email archiving to record essential or crucial data for future reference.
    • Offline Viewing: Easily accessible without needing an email server.
    • Testing Email Application: In terms of development, email can be used to test email development-related applications.
    • Future References: Setting up all email data for future business events and meetings.

    Bonus Tip

    Pro tip to manage EML files like a pro through using specialised tools specifically for .eml file formats. BitRecover provides several powerful software programs to work professionally and efficiently. Explore and try below below-mentioned tools for a hassle-free experience like a professional.

    The above-mentioned are expert-recommended tools used to perform Multiple tasks at a time. Experts cautiously designed these tools to fulfil several aspects of using EML files, managing email metadata, batch conversions, extracting or removing specific data from emails, qualifying the requirement to convert EML to multiple file formats for other uses, etc, through simpler steps. All you need to do is use the right tool according to the need and decrease your workload smartly.

    Final Thought

    Comprehension of ‘What is EML file’ is important, whether you are a casual user, a developer, a professional or a non-professional. EML file format helps you manage better, store them securely, and transfer them securely and successfully. This file format is human-readable, widely supported by multiple email clients, and easy to migrate or transfer. It covers multiple sectors, whether you are taking archiving emails for legal & forensics investigation, business meeting purposes, or for digital communications, knowing about the .eml file format, about EML file, what is EML file MIME type, EML file structure, and what EML file contains is important. Working in digital space, an understanding of the EML file format is effectively and efficiently crucial.

    This blog includes all the aspects that explain what is EML file. The purpose behind this article is to make users feel confident while working with EML file formats.


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