OpenAnyFile
What is a .shn file?
Shorten Audio is an audio format developed by Tony Robinson, first released in 1993. It is usually created by Live-concert trading archives.
One of the first lossless audio codecs; the live-recording trading community used it before FLAC existed.
File details
| Full name | Shorten Audio |
|---|---|
| Category | Audio |
| MIME type | audio/x-shorten |
| Signature (magic bytes) | 61 6A 6B 67 (ajkg) |
| Developer | Tony Robinson |
| Introduced | 1993 |
| Opens with | Audio player |
| Uploaded? | No — read locally in your browser |
How to open a .shn file
OpenAnyFile routes .shn files to its audio player, which shows a player with duration and seeking, if your browser has the codec.
- Drop your .shn 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 .shn 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 .shn files
Can I open a .shn file without installing software?
Yes. OpenAnyFile opens .shn 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 .shn file?
Check its first bytes instead of its name. A genuine SHN file begins with 61 6A 6B 67 (ajkg). OpenAnyFile shows the detected type, so a renamed file is easy to spot.
Is my .shn 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.