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KRA File - What is a .kra file and how do I open it?
Learn about .KRA files and view a list of programs that open them.
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What is a KRA file? A KRA file is the native image format used by Krita, a free and open-source raster graphics editor available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is a working format that saves projects in an editable state. KRA files may store multiple layers, masks, adjustment layers, color profiles, selections, guides, and other Krita-specific data.
More Information KRA file open in Krita 4 Digital artists, illustrators, concept artists, and texture artists who rely on Krita for painting, drawing, and animation work are the main users of KRA files. Krita uses the KRA format to preserve all editing information that would be lost in a flattened image format. In this way, KRA files are similar to .PSD files used by Adobe Photoshop or .XCF files used by GIMP. Internally, a KRA file is a ZIP-compressed package that contains image data and metadata . Because it stores full project data rather than just final pixel output, a KRA file can become relatively large, especially for high-resolution images or projects with many layers.
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DeveloperKrita
Popularity3.8 | 38 Votes
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.KRA File Extension
Krita Image Document
| Developer | Krita |
| Popularity |
3.8 | 38 Votes |
What is a KRA file?
A KRA file is the native image format used by Krita, a free and open-source raster graphics editor available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is a working format that saves projects in an editable state. KRA files may store multiple layers, masks, adjustment layers, color profiles, selections, guides, and other Krita-specific data.
More Information
KRA file open in Krita 4
Digital artists, illustrators, concept artists, and texture artists who rely on Krita for painting, drawing, and animation work are the main users of KRA files. Krita uses the KRA format to preserve all editing information that would be lost in a flattened image format. In this way, KRA files are similar to .PSD files used by Adobe Photoshop or .XCF files used by GIMP.
Internally, a KRA file is a ZIP-compressed package that contains image data and metadata . Because it stores full project data rather than just final pixel output, a KRA file can become relatively large, especially for high-resolution images or projects with many layers.
How to open a KRA file
You can open KRA files with Krita. Third-party apps, such as qView and Gwenview, also support KRA files.
Since KRA files are Zip-compressed, you can rename a .kra file to .zip and inspect its contents with archive tools. However, this is only useful for examination or recovery purposes. To properly view and modify the image, open the file directly with Krita or another third-party viewer that supports the format.
How to convert a KRA file
Krita can convert KRA files to various file types, including the following formats:
Open over 400 file formats with File Viewer Plus . Free Download
Programs that open KRA files
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Windows
Krita
Free
qView
Free
Mac
Krita
Free
qView
Free
Linux
Krita
Free
qView
Free
Gwenview
Free
Category: Raster Image Files
Updated: January 2, 2026