Web & code · .php
What Is a PHP File?
A .php file is a server-side script for websites written in PHP.
- Extension
- .php
- Full name
- PHP script
- Type
- Web & code
- MIME type
- application/x-httpd-php
Free PHP Tools
These run in your browser. Your PHP files are never uploaded.
About PHP Files
PHP files contain code that a web server runs to build pages before sending them to the browser. WordPress, Wikipedia and many other sites are written in PHP. If you download a .php file instead of seeing a web page, the server sent you the script's output with the wrong name, often a PDF or document; renaming it may fix it. Otherwise open it in a text editor to read the code.
How to Open a PHP File
- Any device
- Open it in a text editor or VS Code to read the code.
- Run it
- Install PHP and run php file.php, or place it on a web server with PHP.
PHP File Questions
I downloaded a .php file instead of a PDF. What happened?
The website sent the document with the wrong file name. Check its real type with the File Info tool, then rename it to the right extension.
Can I open a PHP file in a browser?
Only through a web server with PHP installed. Opening the file directly shows the code or nothing.