Skip to content

PICT (.pict)

.pict file signature | image/x-pict

PICT is a raster and vector graphics file format developed by Apple for the classic Macintosh platform and associated imaging software. It was used for storing illustrations, screen captures, clip art, and page-layout graphics in applications such as MacDraw and early desktop publishing tools. PICT is a legacy format and is now largely obsolete; it is generally safe to view, though support may be limited in modern software.

Safe

Magic Bytes

Offset 522
00 11 02 FF 0C 00

Sources: Apache Tika

All Known Signatures

2 signature variants are documented for .pict files across multiple sources.

Hex Signature Offset Sources
00 11 02 FF 0C 00 522 Apache Tika
78 56 34 0 Wikipedia

Extension

.pict

MIME Type

image/x-pict

Byte Offset

522

Risk Level

Safe

Validation Code

How to validate .pict files in Python

Python 
def is_pict(file_path: str) -> bool:
    """Check if file is a valid PICT by magic bytes at offset 522."""
    signature = bytes([0x00, 0x11, 0x02, 0xFF, 0x0C, 0x00])
    with open(file_path, "rb") as f:
        f.seek(522)
        return f.read(6) == signature

How to validate .pict files in Node.js

Node.js 
function isPICT(buffer: Buffer): boolean {
  const signature = Buffer.from([0x00, 0x11, 0x02, 0xFF, 0x0C, 0x00]);
  if (buffer.length < 528) return false;
  return buffer.subarray(522, 528).equals(signature);
}

How to validate .pict files in Go

Go 
func IsPICT(data []byte) bool {
    signature := []byte{0x00, 0x11, 0x02, 0xFF, 0x0C, 0x00}
    if len(data) < 528 {
        return false
    }
    return bytes.Equal(data[522:528], signature)
}

API Endpoint

GET /api/v1/pict
curl https://filesignature.org/api/v1/pict

See the full API documentation for all endpoints and parameters.

Related Formats

.pct .pic

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a .pict file?

A .pict file is identified by the magic bytes 00 11 02 FF 0C 00 at byte offset 522. PICT is a raster and vector graphics file format developed by Apple for the classic Macintosh platform and associated imaging software. It was used for storing illustrations, screen captures, clip art, and page-layout graphics in applications such as MacDraw and early desktop publishing tools. PICT is a legacy format and is now largely obsolete; it is generally safe to view, though support may be limited in modern software.

What are the magic bytes for .pict files?

The magic bytes for PICT files are 00 11 02 FF 0C 00 at byte offset 522. These bytes uniquely identify the file format regardless of the file extension.

How do I validate a .pict file?

To validate a .pict file, read the first bytes of the file and compare them against the known magic bytes (00 11 02 FF 0C 00) at offset 522. This is more reliable than checking the file extension alone, as extensions can be renamed.

What is the MIME type for .pict files?

The primary MIME type for .pict files is image/x-pict.

Is it safe to open .pict files?

PICT (.pict) 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.