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GPG TXT
File conversion

Convert GPG to TXT

Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Jun 21, 2026
QUICK ANSWER
Is it possible to convert GPG to TXT?
Yes - GPG converts to TXT.

Run gpg -d file.gpg > file.txt with GnuPG; you need either the passphrase or the private key the file was encrypted to.

Also to TXT: RTF · KKSRC · HVE

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Nov 2026

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Why convert GPG to TXT?

A .gpg file is encrypted OpenPGP binary data; converting to .txt means decrypting it to recover the original plaintext. Common cases include pass password-store entries, encrypted notes, and text-file backups.

How to convert GPG to TXT

GnuPG OPEN-SOURCE

Run gpg -d file.gpg > file.txt in a terminal; GnuPG prompts for the passphrase or finds the matching private key in your keyring automatically.

Gpg4win OPEN-SOURCE

In Kleopatra, go to File > Decrypt/Verify Files, select the .gpg file, and enter the passphrase; the decrypted output is saved next to the original without the .gpg extension.

GPG Suite FREE

Right-click the .gpg file in Finder and choose Services > OpenPGP: Decrypt File; enter the passphrase and the plaintext file appears in the same folder.

Seahorse OPEN-SOURCE

Right-click the .gpg file in Nautilus and choose Open With Decrypt File; enter the passphrase and the decrypted file is saved alongside the original.

About these formats

.GPG GnuPG Encrypted File

A .gpg file is binary data produced by GnuPG (GNU Privacy Guard), the free OpenPGP encryption tool. Most .gpg files are encrypted - to read one you need GnuPG plus the right passphrase or…

Open .GPG details →
.TXT Plain Text File

A TXT file is plain, unformatted text - the simplest document format on any computer. Double-click it: Windows opens it in Notepad, macOS in TextEdit, Linux in gedit. Nothing to install. If…

Open .TXT details →

Quality & what to watch

  • This is decryption, not a format conversion - if the encrypted content was a PDF or image rather than text, the decrypted output will be that file type, not a .txt.
  • Decryption requires your passphrase or private key.
  • Without the passphrase or the matching private key, decryption is impossible - OpenPGP encryption cannot be bypassed.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need my private key or passphrase to convert GPG to TXT?
Yes - decryption requires either the passphrase (symmetric encryption) or the private key (public-key encryption); without it the file cannot be read.
What if the decrypted content is not text?
The output is whatever was originally encrypted - a PDF, image, or archive - not necessarily a .txt; rename the output file with the correct extension.
Does it matter whether the .gpg file is binary or ASCII-armored?
No - gpg -d detects both the binary OpenPGP format and the ASCII-armored form (often .asc) automatically and decrypts either to the same plaintext.