.shp file extension

.shp

1. ArcView shapefile.

A .shp file is an ArcView shapefile, this file contains geospatial data (i.e. 2D or 3D vector data such as maps or road networks). It is used primarily by ESRI ArcView, but is also supported by some other GIS solutions.

There should be an accompanying .shx (index) file and .dbf (database) file.

For more information see:

www.esri.com/library/whitepapers/pdfs/shapefile.pdf - for file format information.
http://shapelib.maptools.org/ - Open Source Shapefile C library for reading, writing ESRI shapefiles.
http://everything.explained.at/Shapefile - ESRI Shapefiles explained.

2. AutoCAD shape definition file. A .shp is an ASCII text file which contains an AudoCAD shape definition.

A .shp file can be compiled into a .shx compiled shape file

Download Filestar to convert .shp files. Filestar is an universal file converter for Windows that supports over 600 different file types.

Can you add to this? Do you know of any applications not already listed which will work with .shp files, view .shp files or open .shp files? Are you able to contribute any additional reference information or file format information about .shp files or have you spotted any errors or omissions? If so please let us know by emailing us at feedback@cryer.co.uk - Thank you.