BIN (.bin)
.bin file signature | application/octet-stream
BIN is a generic binary file format used by multiple software systems, with no single universal specification or central maintainer. It is commonly used for stored program data, firmware images, disc images, and other application-specific binary resources. Because the extension is shared by many unrelated formats, files should be identified by their originating application before opening; some variants are legacy or proprietary.
Magic Bytes
Offset 0
53 50 30 31
Sources: Wikipedia
All Known Signatures
2 signature variants are documented for .bin files across multiple sources.
Extension
.bin
MIME Type
application/octet-stream
Byte Offset
0
Risk Level
Safe
Validation Code
How to validate .bin files in Python
def is_bin(file_path: str) -> bool:
"""Check if file is a valid BIN by magic bytes."""
signature = bytes([0x53, 0x50, 0x30, 0x31])
with open(file_path, "rb") as f:
return f.read(4) == signatureHow to validate .bin files in Node.js
function isBIN(buffer: Buffer): boolean {
const signature = Buffer.from([0x53, 0x50, 0x30, 0x31]);
return buffer.subarray(0, 4).equals(signature);
}How to validate .bin files in Go
func IsBIN(data []byte) bool {
signature := []byte{0x53, 0x50, 0x30, 0x31}
if len(data) < 4 {
return false
}
return bytes.Equal(data[:4], signature)
}API Endpoint
/api/v1/bin
curl https://filesignature.org/api/v1/bin
See the full API documentation for all endpoints and parameters.
Related Formats
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a .bin file?
A .bin file is identified by the magic bytes 53 50 30 31 at byte offset 0. BIN is a generic binary file format used by multiple software systems, with no single universal specification or central maintainer. It is commonly used for stored program data, firmware images, disc images, and other application-specific binary resources. Because the extension is shared by many unrelated formats, files should be identified by their originating application before opening; some variants are legacy or proprietary.
What are the magic bytes for .bin files?
The magic bytes for BIN files are 53 50 30 31 at byte offset 0. These bytes uniquely identify the file format regardless of the file extension.
How do I validate a .bin file?
To validate a .bin file, read the first bytes of the file and compare them against the known magic bytes (53 50 30 31) at offset 0. This is more reliable than checking the file extension alone, as extensions can be renamed.
What is the MIME type for .bin files?
The primary MIME type for .bin files is application/octet-stream.
Is it safe to open .bin files?
BIN (.bin) files are generally safe to open. They are classified as low risk because they primarily contain data rather than executable code. However, always ensure files come from a trusted source.