How to convert ASC to TXT
- Add your .ASC file - drop it in the box above or click to browse.
- Convert it to .TXT in a few seconds.
- Download your new .TXT file.
What to expect
- Renaming to
.txtdoes not decrypt - if the file contains an encrypted PGP message, the.txtfile will still show Base64 armor until you decrypt it with the correct private key. - The
.ascextension covers three different things: detached signatures, public keys, and encrypted messages - open the file first and check the-----BEGIN PGP ...-----header to identify which type you have. - No data is lost when converting: both formats are plain ASCII, so the Base64 body and the CRC-24 checksum line are preserved exactly.
Frequently asked questions
Can I just rename `.asc` to `.txt`?
Yes - the file is already plain text and any text editor will open it. This is enough if you only need the armor block in a
.txt file; it does not decrypt anything.Why does my `.txt` file show Base64 after renaming?
The
.asc was an encrypted or armored PGP block, and Base64 is its actual stored content. You need to decrypt it with GnuPG or Kleopatra using the correct private key to get the readable message.Can I convert without installing anything?
Yes - on Windows, Notepad is built in and opens
.asc files directly; on macOS, TextEdit does the same. If you need decryption, GnuPG or Kleopatra must be installed.Does this work for plain ASCII `.asc` files with no PGP header?
Yes - if your
.asc is a legacy plain ASCII text file with no -----BEGIN PGP----- line, renaming it to .txt is all you need.
