Skip to content
Free ToolUtilities

Detect the true format of any image file

Drop an image file into the tool and it reads the binary header bytes to determine the actual format — regardless of the file extension. The report shows the MIME type, format name, bit depth, color space, dimensions, and whether the file is animated. Use it to verify files with missing or incorrect extensions.

Use this tool free

Features

1

Magic-byte detection

The tool reads the first bytes of the file to identify the format using known magic-byte signatures. This works even when the extension is wrong, missing, or deliberately changed.

2

Detailed file report

Get the format name, MIME type, bit depth, color space, pixel dimensions, file size, and whether the image contains animation or transparency.

3

Batch detection

Drop multiple files at once and get a summary table showing the detected format for each file. Quickly spot mislabeled files in a batch.

4

Wide format coverage

Recognizes JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF, BMP, TIFF, SVG, ICO, AVIF, HEIC, and more. New formats are added as browser support expands.

How to use

1

Upload a file

Drag any image file into the tool. Files with missing or wrong extensions work perfectly.

2

View the report

The tool instantly displays the detected format, MIME type, dimensions, bit depth, and other properties.

3

Copy results

Click to copy the full report as text or download it as a JSON file for programmatic use.

Specifications

Detection methodMagic-byte header analysis
Supported formatsJPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF, BMP, TIFF, SVG, ICO, AVIF, HEIC
OutputFormat name, MIME, dimensions, bit depth
Batch supportUp to 100 files
Max file size100 MB
ProcessingClient-side (no upload)

Related Magic Eraser Tools

Common questions

Why would a file extension be wrong?

+

File extensions can be changed manually, lost during transfer, or set incorrectly by software. Some platforms strip or rename extensions on upload. The tool reads the actual binary data, so it always reports the true format regardless of what the extension says.

Can this tool detect RAW camera formats?

+

The tool focuses on web image formats. RAW files like CR2, NEF, and ARW may be partially detected by their TIFF-based headers, but the tool does not parse vendor-specific RAW metadata.

Does the tool modify my file?

+

No. The tool only reads the file to inspect its header bytes. It does not alter, re-encode, or save any data. The file remains exactly as it was.

Need to convert the detected format?

AI Enhance can convert and optimize images across formats while improving quality. Identify the format here, then convert it to exactly what you need.

Try it free