OpenAnyFile
What is a .ra file?
RealAudio is an audio format developed by RealNetworks, first released in 1995. It is usually created by RealPlayer, 1990s internet radio.
The codec that brought streaming audio to dial-up. RealPlayer is the realistic way to decode it today.
File details
| Full name | RealAudio |
|---|---|
| Category | Audio |
| MIME type | audio/x-pn-realaudio |
| Signature (magic bytes) | 2E 72 61 FD (.ra) |
| Developer | RealNetworks |
| Introduced | 1995 |
| Opens with | Audio player |
| Uploaded? | No — read locally in your browser |
How to open a .ra file
OpenAnyFile routes .ra files to its audio player, which shows a player with duration and seeking, if your browser has the codec.
- Drop your .ra 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
Guaranteed playback. It depends on your browser shipping this codec; if it doesn't, you still get the full inspection.
Is it safe to open a .ra 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 .ra files
Can I open a .ra file without installing software?
Yes. OpenAnyFile opens .ra 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 .ra file?
Check its first bytes instead of its name. A genuine RA file begins with 2E 72 61 FD (.ra). OpenAnyFile shows the detected type, so a renamed file is easy to spot.
Is my .ra 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.