.crt

What is a .crt file?

CRT is an X.509 digital certificate file, usually PEM-encoded (Base64 text) for SSL/TLS server configuration.

Safe format
Type Security
By ITU-T / IETF (X.509 standard)
MIME application/x-x509-ca-cert

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What is it

A .crt file contains an X.509 digital certificate — the cryptographic document that proves a server's identity for HTTPS connections. When your browser shows a padlock icon, it verified the server's .crt certificate against a chain of trusted certificate authorities.

The extension is a convention, not a format specification. A .crt file is usually PEM-encoded (Base64 text, readable in a text editor) but can sometimes be DER-encoded (binary). Check the file: if you can read it and see BEGIN CERTIFICATE, it's PEM. If it's binary gibberish, it's DER.

You'll encounter .crt files when setting up SSL/TLS on web servers (Apache, Nginx), configuring email encryption, or managing certificate infrastructure. Certificate authorities deliver certificates as .crt files. To inspect a certificate: `openssl x509 -in server.crt -text -noout` shows the issuer, validity period, and subject details.

Technical details
Full Name
Certificate File
MIME Type
application/x-x509-ca-cert
Developer
ITU-T / IETF (X.509 standard)
Magic Bytes
N/A
Safety
.crt is a known, safe format. Certificates are public by design. Safe to share — they contain public keys, not private keys.
What opens it
openssl (CLI)
FREE Windows / Mac / Linux
Keychain Access
FREE Mac
KeyStore Explorer
FREE Windows / Mac / Linux
FAQ
What's the difference between .crt and .pem?
Mostly convention. Both typically contain PEM-encoded certificates. .crt specifically implies a certificate, while .pem could contain a certificate, key, or both. The file content is often identical.
How do I check when a certificate expires?
`openssl x509 -in cert.crt -noout -enddate` shows the expiration date. On Mac, double-click the .crt to view it in Keychain Access. On Windows, double-click to open the Certificate dialog.
Related formats