PK3 (.pk3)
.pk3 file signature | application/octet-stream
PK3 is a ZIP-based archive format introduced by id Software for the Quake III Arena engine and related id Tech 3 games. It is used to package game assets such as maps, textures, sounds, scripts, and modification files for distribution and loading by compatible games and tools. Because it is an ordinary archive container, it may carry the same security concerns as other compressed files, including malformed or malicious content.
Magic Bytes
Offset 0
50 4B 03 04
Sources: Wikipedia
All Known Signatures
3 signature variants are documented for .pk3 files across multiple sources.
Extension
.pk3
MIME Type
application/octet-stream
Byte Offset
0
Risk Level
Safe
Validation Code
How to validate .pk3 files in Python
def is_pk3(file_path: str) -> bool:
"""Check if file is a valid PK3 by magic bytes."""
signature = bytes([0x50, 0x4B, 0x03, 0x04])
with open(file_path, "rb") as f:
return f.read(4) == signatureHow to validate .pk3 files in Node.js
function isPK3(buffer: Buffer): boolean {
const signature = Buffer.from([0x50, 0x4B, 0x03, 0x04]);
return buffer.subarray(0, 4).equals(signature);
}How to validate .pk3 files in Go
func IsPK3(data []byte) bool {
signature := []byte{0x50, 0x4B, 0x03, 0x04}
if len(data) < 4 {
return false
}
return bytes.Equal(data[:4], signature)
}API Endpoint
/api/v1/pk3
curl https://filesignature.org/api/v1/pk3
See the full API documentation for all endpoints and parameters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a .pk3 file?
A .pk3 file is identified by the magic bytes 50 4B 03 04 at byte offset 0. PK3 is a ZIP-based archive format introduced by id Software for the Quake III Arena engine and related id Tech 3 games. It is used to package game assets such as maps, textures, sounds, scripts, and modification files for distribution and loading by compatible games and tools. Because it is an ordinary archive container, it may carry the same security concerns as other compressed files, including malformed or malicious content.
What are the magic bytes for .pk3 files?
The magic bytes for PK3 files are 50 4B 03 04 at byte offset 0. These bytes uniquely identify the file format regardless of the file extension.
How do I validate a .pk3 file?
To validate a .pk3 file, read the first bytes of the file and compare them against the known magic bytes (50 4B 03 04) at offset 0. This is more reliable than checking the file extension alone, as extensions can be renamed.
What is the MIME type for .pk3 files?
The primary MIME type for .pk3 files is application/octet-stream.
Is it safe to open .pk3 files?
PK3 (.pk3) 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.