file-type
Detect file types from Buffers with ease.
Pricing
Free tier
Flat rate
Adoption
↘CoolingLicense
Open Source
Data freshness
Aging · Jun 8, 2026Overview
What is file-type?
File-Type is a Node.js library that detects the type of a given Buffer based on its binary signature. It's useful for developers who need to determine file types without relying on file extensions, ensuring accurate and reliable file handling in applications.
Key differentiator
“File-Type stands out as a lightweight, reliable, and easy-to-integrate Node.js library specifically designed to detect file types from Buffers without relying on potentially unreliable file extensions.”
Capability profile
Capability Radar
Honest assessment
Strengths & Weaknesses
↑ Strengths
↓ Weaknesses
The library primarily supports popular and widely used file types, which may not cover niche or specialized formats.
New file formats or updated signatures are only added in new releases, which might be infrequent depending on the project's maintenance activity.
While it can detect file types effectively, additional libraries or tools would be required to extract further metadata from files.
If the provided Buffer is incomplete or corrupted, the library may fail to accurately detect the file type.
Fit analysis
Who is it for?
✓ Best for
Developers building Node.js applications that need to handle various file types securely and accurately.
Projects where file extension reliability is questionable, ensuring the correct handling of uploaded or processed files.
✕ Not a fit for
Applications requiring real-time file type detection in environments other than Node.js.
Scenarios where a web-based UI for file management is required instead of a library solution.
Cost structure
Pricing
Free Tier
Available
Open source — free to use
Starts at
$0
Model
Flat rate
Enterprise
None
Performance benchmarks
How Fast Is It?
Ecosystem
Relationships
Integrations
Next step
Get Started with file-type
Step-by-step setup guide with code examples and common gotchas.