What is the SQLITE3 file format?
A .sqlite3 file is a SQLite 3 relational database - a complete, self-contained, serverless database stored in a single cross-platform binary file. The format is identified by the 16-byte null-terminated header string SQLite format 3 at byte offset 0, shared by every SQLite 3 database regardless of file extension.
Data is organised in fixed-size B-tree pages (default 4,096 bytes; the actual page size is recorded in header bytes 16-17) using big-endian integers. The first page always contains the sqlite_schema table - a catalogue of all tables, indexes, views and triggers in the database.
The .sqlite3 extension is one of several conventions for the identical binary format; .sqlite, .db, .db3 and .s3db files are byte-for-byte the same. A database in WAL mode (write-ahead logging) generates companion -wal and -shm sidecar files that must be kept alongside the main file.
SQLite 3 has no built-in encryption; optional encryption is available via the commercial SQLite Encryption Extension (SEE) or the open-source SQLCipher library. Schema and data can be exported to a .SQL script using the sqlite3 shell's .dump command.
SQLite is the most widely deployed database engine on Earth - it ships inside Android, iOS, macOS, every major web browser, and countless embedded devices. The SQLite team guarantees long-term format stability: a file written today is intended to remain readable for decades.
Security & safety
RISK: MEDIUMA .sqlite3 file is data, not executable code - opening it in a viewer is safe. Treat the CONTENTS as sensitive: app and browser SQLite databases commonly store private messages, contacts, browsing history, session tokens and location data. Do not upload personal databases to online viewers. Never run SQL from untrusted sources against your database (it can DELETE data). Be aware companion -wal/-shm files may exist with the newest uncommitted changes; keep them with the main file.
Format details
in a nutshellFULL NAMESQLite 3 Databaseaka SQLite database, SQLite3 file
DEVELOPERD. Richard Hipp / SQLite Development Team (public domain)since 2004 (SQLite 3 file format; SQLite itself since 2000)
CATEGORYDatabase Files
MIME TYPEapplication/vnd.sqlite3
TYPEBinary, self-contained single-file relational database (SQLite 3 format)
STANDARDOpen · royalty-free
MAGIC BYTES · FILE SIGNATURE
OFFSET
000102030405060708090a0b0c0d0e0f
HEX
53514C69746520666F726D6174203300
ASCII
SQLite format 3·
Byte-identical header regardless of extension (.sqlite3, .sqlite, .db, .db3, .s3db or extension-less). The 100-byte header that follows also stores page size, format versions, and text encoding.
Programs that open SQLITE3 files
Windows3 apps
DB Browser for SQLite
Open-source File > Open Database, pick the .sqlite3, then 'Browse Data' to view tables and 'Execute SQL' to run queries. Free, easy GUI.
SQLite (sqlite3 CLI)
Open-source Run 'sqlite3 file.sqlite3' in a command prompt, then '.tables' to list tables and SQL to query/export.
DBeaver
Open-source Create a SQLite connection pointing at the .sqlite3 file to browse, query and export with a polished GUI. Also supports direct XLSX export. 
macOS3 apps
DB Browser for SQLite
Open-source Open the .sqlite3 and browse/query tables; the standard cross-platform viewer.
SQLite (sqlite3 CLI)
Open-source Pre-installed on macOS - 'sqlite3 file.sqlite3' then '.tables'; use '.mode csv' + '.output out.csv' to export. 
Linux2 apps
DB Browser for SQLite
Open-source Install the sqlitebrowser package and open the .sqlite3 to browse and query visually.
SQLite (sqlite3 CLI)
Open-source 'sqlite3 file.sqlite3' to query; '.dump' exports the whole DB to SQL. Usually pre-installed.
Web1 app
SQLite Viewer (sqliteviewer.app)
Free Drag a .sqlite3 into the browser to inspect tables locally (client-side - but avoid uploading confidential databases). Technical details
deep spec| File signature | 53 51 4C 69 74 65 20 66 6F 72 6D 61 74 20 33 00 - "SQLite format 3" (null-terminated) at byte offset 0 |
| Byte order | Big-endian (header and B-tree page integers) |
| Page size | 512-65,536 bytes per page (default 4,096 B); stored in header bytes 16-17 |
| Storage engine | Custom B-tree paged storage (not a generic container format) |
| Text encoding | UTF-8 (code 1), UTF-16LE (code 2) or UTF-16BE (code 3); recorded in the database header |
| Encryption | None by default; available via SQLite Encryption Extension (SEE) or SQLCipher |
| WAL mode | Adds -wal (write-ahead log) and -shm (shared memory) companion files when enabled |
| Schema catalog | sqlite_schema table on the first page lists all tables, indexes, views and triggers |
| Integrity check | PRAGMA integrity_check performs full B-tree scan; no automatic embedded checksum |
| Typical size | A few KB (empty) to many GB; no hard upper limit |
| STRICT tables | SQLite 3.37.0+ (2021) supports STRICT tables for enforced column typing |
| Associated OS | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, embedded systems |
| Released | 2004 (SQLite 3 file format; SQLite itself since 2000) |
| Latest version | SQLite file format version 3 (stable; backwards-compatible since 2004) |
| Open standard | Yes · royalty-free |
| Specification | www.sqlite.org |
SQLITE3 conversions
Possible
.SQLITE3 .CSVGUIDE
Yes, you can export a SQLite 3 database to CSV one table at a time, and the fastest free way is DB Browser…
How to convert
.SQLITE3 .XLSXGUIDE
Yes. The fastest way is to open the database in DBeaver and export a table or query result straight to XLSX.
How to convert
.SQLITE3 .JSONGUIDE
Yes, you can export a .sqlite3 database to JSON, and the fastest way is the built-in sqlite3 command-line…
How to convert
.SQLITE3 .HTMLGUIDE
Yes. The fastest way is the built-in sqlite3 command-line shell with .mode html, which writes any query…
How to convert
.SQLITE3 .SQLGUIDE
Yes. The fastest way is the sqlite3 command line tool with a single .dump command that writes the whole…
How to convert
.SQLITE3 .PDFGUIDE
Yes, you can produce a PDF from a .sqlite3 database, but there is no one-click button, so the fastest route…
How to convert
.SQLITE3 .XMLGUIDE
Yes, you can get a .sqlite3 database into XML by exporting its tables or query results, and the fastest route…
How to convert
Community Q&A
asked by users
C
Frequently asked questions
How do I open a .sqlite3 file?
Use the free DB Browser for SQLite (Windows/macOS/Linux): File > Open Database, then Browse Data. Or query with the sqlite3 command-line tool. It's a database - you browse tables, not 'read' it like a document.
What is the difference between .sqlite3, .sqlite, and .db?
Nothing in the format. All three use the same SQLite 3 binary format (header 'SQLite format 3'). The extension is just a naming convention chosen by the app.
How do I export a .sqlite3 to CSV or Excel?
In DB Browser for SQLite: File > Export > Table to CSV (one table at a time), then open the CSV in Excel/LibreOffice. DBeaver can export query results directly to XLSX.
Why does my .sqlite3 say 'file is not a database'?
The file may be encrypted (e.g. SQLCipher-encrypted app database), corrupted, or not actually SQLite. Verify the first 16 bytes spell 'SQLite format 3'. Encrypted databases must be decrypted with the correct key first.
Is a .sqlite3 different from a .sql file?
Yes - a .sqlite3 is a binary database file; a .sql file is a plain-text script of SQL statements. You open .sqlite3 in a database browser; you run/import .sql against a database engine.
Do I need to install a server to use .sqlite3 files?
No - SQLite is serverless. DB Browser for SQLite or the sqlite3 CLI reads the file directly with no setup or server process.
References
1SQLite - Database File Format specificationwww.sqlite.org
2DB Browser for SQLite (official GUI)sqlitebrowser.org
