Compressed archive file magic bytes (.pak)
.pak file signature: 4B 50 4B 41 | application/octet-stream
The PAK format is a compressed archive file format originally used by id Software and maintained through the Quake engine ecosystem. It is used to bundle game assets such as maps, textures, sounds, and configuration files into a single distributable package for classic Quake-era games and related tools. The format is generally considered safe, though as with any archive, files should be obtained from trusted sources; it is primarily a legacy format.
Magic Bytes
Offset 0
4B 50 4B 41
Sources: Wikipedia
All Known Signatures
3 signature variants are documented for .pak files across multiple sources.
| Hex Signature | Offset | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| 4B 50 4B 41 | 0 | Wikipedia |
| 1A 0B | 0 | Gary Kessler |
| 50 41 43 4B | 0 | Gary Kessler |
Validation Code
How to validate .pak files in Python
def is_pak(file_path: str) -> bool:
"""Check if file is a valid PAK by magic bytes."""
signature = bytes([0x4B, 0x50, 0x4B, 0x41])
with open(file_path, "rb") as f:
return f.read(4) == signatureHow to validate .pak files in Node.js
function isPAK(buffer: Buffer): boolean {
const signature = Buffer.from([0x4B, 0x50, 0x4B, 0x41]);
return buffer.subarray(0, 4).equals(signature);
}How to validate .pak files in Go
func IsPAK(data []byte) bool {
signature := []byte{0x4B, 0x50, 0x4B, 0x41}
if len(data) < 4 {
return false
}
return bytes.Equal(data[:4], signature)
}API Endpoint
/api/v1/pak
curl https://filesignature.org/api/v1/pak
See the full API documentation for all endpoints and parameters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a .pak file?
A .pak file is a Compressed archive file. The PAK format is a compressed archive file format originally used by id Software and maintained through the Quake engine ecosystem. It is used to bundle game assets such as maps, textures, sounds, and configuration files into a single distributable package for classic Quake-era games and related tools. The format is generally considered safe, though as with any archive, files should be obtained from trusted sources; it is primarily a legacy format.
What are the magic bytes for .pak files?
The magic bytes for Compressed archive file (.pak) files are 4B 50 4B 41 at byte offset 0. These bytes identify the file format more reliably than the extension alone.
How do I validate a .pak file?
To validate a .pak file, read the first bytes of the file and compare them against the known magic bytes (4B 50 4B 41) at offset 0. This is more reliable than checking the file extension alone, as extensions can be renamed.
What is the MIME type for .pak files?
There is no officially registered MIME type for .pak files. Systems typically use application/octet-stream as a generic fallback when handling this format.
Is it safe to open .pak files?
Compressed archive file (.pak) 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.