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What Is an MHT File?

How to open, edit, and convert MHT files

By Tim Fisher Tim Fisher Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability Emporia State University Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the VP and General Manager of Lifewire. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on June 15, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

In This Article

Expand Jump to a Section What Is an MHT File Opening MHT Files Converting an MHT File More Information Still Can't Open It? Frequently Asked Questions

What to Know

An MHT file is an MHTML Web Archive file.Open one with any web browser or text editor.Convert to PDF, JPG, HTML, and more with AVS Document Converter. This article describes what an MHT file is and how the format is different from HTML. We'll also look at how to open one on your computer and how to convert one to a more recognizable format like HTML or PDF.

What Is an MHT File

A file with the .MHT file extension is an MHTML Web Archive file that can hold HTML files, images, animation, audio, and other media content. Unlike HTML files, these aren't restricted to holding just text content. These files are often used as a convenient way to archive a web page because all the content for the page can be gathered into a single file, unlike when you view an HTML web page that only includes links to images and other content stored in other locations.
MHT files that open in Edge. MHTML is an initialism of "MIME encapsulation of aggregate HTML documents." But MHT is short for a number of other terms that have nothing to do with HTML documents, including Merkle hash tree and medium and high technology.

How to Open MHT Files

Probably the easiest way to open MHT files is to use a web browser like Chrome, Opera, Edge, or Internet Explorer. You can also view one in Microsoft Word and WPS Writer. HTML editors support the format as well, like WizHtmlEditor and BlockNote. A text editor can open it as well, but since the file might also include non-text items (like images), you won't be able to see those objects in the text editor. Files ending in the .MHTML file extension are Web Archive files, too, and are interchangeable with EML files. This means that an email file can be renamed to a Web Archive file and opened in a browser, and the Web Archive file can be renamed as an email file to be displayed within an email client.

How to Convert an MHT File

Some document converter tools, such as Doxillion or AVS Document Converter, can convert out of the MHT format to something else, like PDF or an image format. Turgs MHT Wizard can save one to PST, MSG, EML/EMLX, PDF, MBOX, HTML, XPS, RTF, and DOC. It's also an easy way to extract the page's non-text files to a folder (like all the images). Keep in mind that this converter isn't free, so the trial version is limited. Another is the MHTML Converter that saves MHT files to HTML.

More Information on the MHT Format

MHT files are very similar to HTML files. The difference is that the latter only holds the text content of the page. Any images seen in an HTML file are really just references to online or local images, which are then loaded when the file is loaded. MHT files are different in that they actually hold the image files (and others like audio files) in one file so that even if the online or local images are removed, the MHT file can still be used to view the page and its other files. This is why they're so useful for archiving pages: the files are stored offline and in one easy-to-access file, regardless of whether they still exist online. Any relative links that were pointing to external files are remapped and pointed to the ones contained within the MHT file. You don't have to do this manually since it's done for you during the creation process. Microsoft OneNote is an example of a program that can export to this format. You can also save web pages to MHT in Internet Explorer 11, and probably other browsers, too. The MHTML format isn't a standard, so while one web browser might be able to save and view the file without any problems, you might find that opening the same file in a different browser makes it look a bit different. Support for this format isn't available by default in every web browser. Some browsers provide no support for it.
Microsoft no longer supports Internet Explorer and recommends that you update to the newer Edge browser. Head to their site to download the newest version.

Still Can' t Open It

If your file doesn't open with the suggestions from above, you might not really be dealing with an MHT file at all. Check that you're reading the file extension correctly; it should say .mht. If it doesn't, it might instead be something very similar. Unfortunately, just because the letters look similar doesn't mean that the file formats are the same or related in any way. MTH files are Derive Math files used by Texas Instrument's Derive system and can't be opened or converted in the same way that MHT files can. NTH is similar as well but used instead for Nokia Series 40 Theme files that open with Nokia Series 40 Theme Studio. Another file extension that looks like these is MHP, which is for Maths Helper Plus files used with Maths Helper Plus from Teachers' Choice Software. FAQ Can MHT files contain viruses or be dangerous? Depending on what web page the file contains, there might be security concerns. As a safe practice, make sure not to open any MHT files that you don't trust and recognize. How do you open MHT files on iOS? You will need to download a third-party MHT file viewer app such as Mht Browser to view MHT files on iOS. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Save Web Pages in Internet Explorer 11 PHP File (What It Is & How to Open One) AV File (What Is It & How to Open One) JAR File (What It Is & How to Open One) CFM File (What It Is & How to Open One) What Is a PDF File? (And How to Open One) HQX File (What It Is and How to Open One) CV File (What It Is & How to Open One) SVG Files: What They Are and How to Open & Convert Them ACV File (What It Is & How to Open One) 4 Best Free Document Converter Software Programs EPRT File (What It Is and How to Open One) BSA File (What It Is & How to Open One) How to Open, Edit, and Convert EMAIL Files What's an EFX File and How Do You Open One? WPD File (What It Is & How to Open One) Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies