NROFF (.nroff)
.nroff file signature | text/troff
NROFF is a legacy text formatting language and file format from the Unix troff system, originally developed at AT&T Bell Labs and maintained through Unix-like documentation tooling. It is used to prepare plain-text manuals, command references, and other terminal-oriented documents for formatted output on printers or display devices. The format is generally safe, though older files may contain macros and embedded commands that can affect rendering or reference external resources.
Magic Bytes
Offset 0
2E 5C 22
Sources: Apache Tika
All Known Signatures
5 signature variants are documented for .nroff files across multiple sources.
| Hex Signature | Offset | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| 2E 5C 22 | 0 | Apache Tika |
| 27 5C 22 | 0 | Apache Tika |
| 27 2E 5C 22 | 0 | Apache Tika |
| 5C 22 | 0 | Apache Tika |
| 27 27 27 | 0 | Apache Tika |
Extension
.nroff
MIME Type
text/troff
Byte Offset
0
Risk Level
Safe
Validation Code
How to validate .nroff files in Python
def is_nroff(file_path: str) -> bool:
"""Check if file is a valid NROFF by magic bytes."""
signature = bytes([0x2E, 0x5C, 0x22])
with open(file_path, "rb") as f:
return f.read(3) == signatureHow to validate .nroff files in Node.js
function isNROFF(buffer: Buffer): boolean {
const signature = Buffer.from([0x2E, 0x5C, 0x22]);
return buffer.subarray(0, 3).equals(signature);
}How to validate .nroff files in Go
func IsNROFF(data []byte) bool {
signature := []byte{0x2E, 0x5C, 0x22}
if len(data) < 3 {
return false
}
return bytes.Equal(data[:3], signature)
}API Endpoint
/api/v1/nroff
curl https://filesignature.org/api/v1/nroff
See the full API documentation for all endpoints and parameters.
Related Formats
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a .nroff file?
A .nroff file is identified by the magic bytes 2E 5C 22 at byte offset 0. NROFF is a legacy text formatting language and file format from the Unix troff system, originally developed at AT&T Bell Labs and maintained through Unix-like documentation tooling. It is used to prepare plain-text manuals, command references, and other terminal-oriented documents for formatted output on printers or display devices. The format is generally safe, though older files may contain macros and embedded commands that can affect rendering or reference external resources.
What are the magic bytes for .nroff files?
The magic bytes for NROFF files are 2E 5C 22 at byte offset 0. These bytes uniquely identify the file format regardless of the file extension.
How do I validate a .nroff file?
To validate a .nroff file, read the first bytes of the file and compare them against the known magic bytes (2E 5C 22) at offset 0. This is more reliable than checking the file extension alone, as extensions can be renamed.
What is the MIME type for .nroff files?
The primary MIME type for .nroff files is text/troff.
Is it safe to open .nroff files?
NROFF (.nroff) 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.