OpenAnyFile
What is a .bwf file?
Broadcast Wave Format is an audio format developed by European Broadcasting Union, first released in 1997. It is usually created by Field recorders (Zoom, Sound Devices).
A normal WAV plus a 'bext' chunk carrying the timecode, scene and take that film sound editors rely on.
File details
| Full name | Broadcast Wave Format |
|---|---|
| Category | Audio |
| MIME type | audio/wav |
| Signature (magic bytes) | 52 49 46 46 .. 57 41 56 45 (RIFF WAVE) |
| Developer | European Broadcasting Union |
| Introduced | 1997 |
| Opens with | Audio player |
| Uploaded? | No — read locally in your browser |
How to open a .bwf file
OpenAnyFile routes .bwf files to its audio player, which shows a player with duration and seeking, if your browser has the codec.
- Drop your .bwf file on the box above, click it to choose the file, or paste it with Ctrl+V.
- The real format is detected from the file's first bytes — not just its name.
- The file opens in the audio player.
- Use fullscreen for a closer look, check its checksums, or download it back unchanged.
What works — and what does not
Works
Viewing and inspecting: a player with duration and seeking, if your browser has the codec. Size, type, signature and checksums are always shown.
Does not work
Editing and saving back. OpenAnyFile is a viewer, not an editor — for changes you still need the original app.
Is it safe to open a .bwf file online?
Here, yes — because nothing is uploaded. Most "online viewers" send your file to their server. OpenAnyFile reads it with your browser's File API and decodes it on your own device, so there is no copy anywhere else. You can check: open your browser's network tab while opening a file — no upload appears.
Questions about .bwf files
Can I open a .bwf file without installing software?
Yes. OpenAnyFile opens .bwf files in your browser using its audio player. You get a player with duration and seeking, if your browser has the codec, with nothing installed and no account.
How do I know a file is really a .bwf file?
Check its first bytes instead of its name. A genuine BWF file begins with 52 49 46 46 .. 57 41 56 45 (RIFF WAVE). OpenAnyFile shows the detected type, so a renamed file is easy to spot.
Is my .bwf file uploaded anywhere?
No. The file is read locally by your browser and never sent to a server — it even works offline once the page has loaded.
Does it work on phones?
Yes — on Android and iPhone, in any modern browser. You can also install OpenAnyFile as an app.
Related formats
Other formats from the same family:
Format facts checked and page updated on September 25, 2026.