.822 — RFC 822 Message Format
IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) · 1982
The .822 file extension signifies a standard format for representing email messages, including headers and body content.
Key Features
- Defines standard email headers like From, To, Subject, Date.
- Plain text format, readable by humans and machines.
- Separates message headers from the message body with a blank line.
- Foundation for subsequent email format standards.
Best For
- Representing raw email data.
- Ensuring email compatibility across systems.
- Archiving email content in a universally readable format.
Less Ideal For
- Rich text or HTML email content (use MIME instead).
- Sending binary attachments directly (requires MIME encoding).
- Modern email features like encryption (use S/MIME or PGP).
Common Use Cases
- Storing and exchanging email messages.
- Archiving email communications.
- Interoperability between different email clients and servers.
- Parsing and processing email content programmatically.
How to Open It
- Most email clients (like Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail) can open .822 files by simply importing them or opening them as saved messages.
- Text editors (like Notepad on Windows, TextEdit on macOS, or VS Code) can open .822 files to view the raw text content.
- Use online converters or dedicated email archiving tools to import or view these files.
What is a .822 file?
.822 files represent email messages in a standardized format defined by RFC 822. This format specifies the structure for headers, such as 'From', 'To', and 'Subject', as well as the message body. It was one of the foundational standards for electronic mail, enabling different email clients and systems to exchange messages reliably. While newer standards like RFC 5322 have superseded it, the .822 format is still recognized and understood by most modern email software.
Programs That Open .822 Files
| Platform | Program | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | Mozilla Thunderbird | Free | |
| Microsoft Outlook | Paid | Official | |
| Notepad | Free | Official | |
| macOS | Apple Mail | Free | Official |
| Mozilla Thunderbird | Free | ||
| TextEdit | Free | Official | |
| Linux | Mozilla Thunderbird | Free | |
| Evolution | Free | Official | |
| Gedit | Free | Official | |
| Android | Gmail App | Free | Official |
| K-9 Mail | Free | ||
| iOS | Apple Mail | Free | Official |
| Gmail App | Free | Official | |
| Web Browser | Gmail | Free | Official |
| Outlook.com | Free | Official |
How to Convert .822 Files
| Format | Method |
|---|---|
| .EML | Email client export, Online converters |
| .TXT | Text editor, Email client export |
Common Problems with .822 Files
Frequently Asked Questions
While both represent email messages, .822 is the older, foundational standard. .eml files often use MIME extensions to support richer content like HTML and attachments, making them more common for modern email saving.
Yes, an .822 file itself is essentially a plain text email message and can be attached to another email. However, it's more common to send emails through a mail client directly rather than attaching raw message files.
The original RFC 822 standard does not directly support binary attachments. Modern email formats (often using MIME) are used to encode and attach files, and .eml files are more likely to contain these.
Technical Details
The RFC 822 format is a plain text file structure. It consists of a header section, which contains metadata about the email, followed by a blank line and then the body, which is the actual content of the message. The headers are key-value pairs, separated by a colon, defining fields like sender, recipient, subject, date, and content type.