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.CUE File Extension

CUE files exist as 2 different types. Please find information about each of them below.

Type 1: Cue Sheet File

Cue sheets describe audio and data CDs. The main data for a CD is stored in files referenced by the cue sheet. Cue sheets specify track lengths and CD-Text. They divide audio stored in a single file i...

Cue sheets describe audio and data CDs. The main data for a CD is stored in files referenced by the cue sheet. Cue sheets specify track lengths and CD-Text. They divide audio stored in a single file into multiple songs or tracks. The data files may be audio or disc images.

When used for disc images the format is called CUE/BIN. It stores a disc image of one cue sheet file and .bin files. The .bin files are binary copies of tracks.

A file with .cue extension is metadata. It contains information about the layout of tracks on a CD or DVD. Cue files are supported by media players. The main audio data on the CD is referenced by the cue file. It has specifications of track lengths and titles. If an audio file has multiple tracks, the cue file divides it.

Cue sheets are text files. They have commands with parameters for the whole file or individual tracks. Some commands are global or track specific.

General Information

Title CUE File Extension
Extension .cue
Full Form Cue Sheet File
File Type Text File
Developer N/A
MIME Type application/x-cue

File Function

Primary Function Track metadata
Additional Functions Indexing, synchronization
Features Text-based, human-readable

File Characteristics

Quality N/A
Supports Layers N/A
Supports Transparency N/A
Editable Yes

Use Cases

CD Burning Yes
Audio Playback Yes
Disk Authoring Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Low risk
Best Practices Verify source, use reputable software

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release N/A
Latest Version N/A

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .bin, .iso, .flac

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
Foobar2000 Free Windows
Nero Burning ROM Paid Windows
ImgBurn Free Windows

Type 2: CDRWIN Cue Sheet

Cue sheet files define how tracks are laid out on discs. They specify titles, performers, track lengths for audio CDs. Cue sheets reference audio files to use for tracks. They enable dividing single a...

Cue sheet files define how tracks are laid out on discs. They specify titles, performers, track lengths for audio CDs. Cue sheets reference audio files to use for tracks. They enable dividing single audio files into multiple tracks. The .cue format originally developed for CDRWIN. It encodes CD images as 2,048 or 2,324 bytes per sector. CDRWIN cue sheets now supported by many applications.

The cue sheet format widely accepted as CDRWIN User’s Guide Appendix A. It became a de facto standard. Apps like foobar2000 adopted it. Cue sheets describe data and audio CDs. Main disc data referenced alongside specifications. Useful for live sets with one long file. Can split into separate tracks.

Extensions .cue and .bin developed by Jeff Arnold. Specify disc layout for CDRWIN. .Cue files plain text format. List tracks and lengths. Contain titles, performers for tracks and disc. Reference file(s) holding audio data. Wide support across burn and play programs.

General Information

Title CUE File Extension
Extension .cue
Full Form Cue Sheet File
File Type Metadata File
Developer Golden Hawk Technology
MIME Type application/x-cue

File Function

Primary Function Metadata storage
Additional Functions Track indexing, CD layout description
Features Text-based, Directive-oriented

File Characteristics

Quality N/A
Supports Layers No
Supports Transparency No
Editable Yes

Use Cases

Audio CD Creation Yes
Data Backup Yes
Disk Image Mounting Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Low
Best Practices Verify sources, Use reliable software

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release Mid-1990s
Latest Version Dependent on software

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .bin, .iso, .ccd

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
CDRWIN Commercial Windows
ImgBurn Free Windows
Nero Burning ROM Commercial Windows
‹ .prproj | .f3d ›

Page Contents

  • Cue Sheet File
  • General Information
  • File Function
  • File Characteristics
  • Use Cases
  • Security and Practices
  • Historical/Version Information
  • Associated Types
  • Software Compatibility
  • CDRWIN Cue Sheet
  • General Information
  • File Function
  • File Characteristics
  • Use Cases
  • Security and Practices
  • Historical/Version Information
  • Associated Types
  • Software Compatibility
2025