Typst File Format (.typ)

A TYP file holds Typst markup, plain-text source in Typst's own scripting language that the Typst compiler turns into a typeset PDF, playing the same role as a .tex file but as one self-contained language rather than a macro layer on top of another program.

.typDocuments

Typst at a glance#

Full name	Typst markup
File extension	.typ
Category	Documents
Developer	Typst GmbH
First released	2023
MIME types	text/vnd.typst
Compression	Uncompressed
FileFlip support	FileFlip reads and writes this format

What a .typ file can hold#

These are the things a Typst file either supports or does not, and they are what decides whether a conversion keeps everything or quietly drops something.

Selectable text	Yes
Human readable	Yes

Strengths and limitations of Typst#

What Typst does well

Compiles orders of magnitude faster than LaTeX, often producing an updated preview as you type
One coherent language handles both markup and scripting, so there's no separate macro syntax layered on top
Bibliography management, cross-referencing and page layout work out of the box, without installing extra packages

Where Typst falls short

Far fewer templates and third-party packages exist than LaTeX's decades-old archive
Most academic journals still expect a LaTeX submission, so Typst work often gets converted at the end anyway
Being a newer language, package APIs have occasionally changed between versions

Start a new document in Typst when fast iteration and a simpler syntax matter more than compatibility with an existing LaTeX-only workflow.

Convert a Typst file to PDF or another format when the destination is a reader rather than another Typst install, since Typst compiles to output the same way LaTeX does.

How to open a .typ file#

A .typ file opens in the programs below, grouped by the platform you are on. If you would rather not install anything, FileFlip converts Typst into a format your machine already opens, and it does it in the browser tab rather than on a server.

Platform	Programs that open it
Windows	Visual Studio Code (Tinymist), Typst CLI
macOS	Visual Studio Code (Tinymist), Typst CLI
Linux	Visual Studio Code (Tinymist), Typst CLI
Web	Typst app (typst.app), FileFlip

Typst questions people ask#

What is a .typ file?

A .typ file is source code in Typst, a typesetting language released in 2023 as a faster, simpler alternative to LaTeX. It has to be compiled, either with the Typst CLI, an editor extension, or the Typst web app, to produce a PDF.

Is Typst better than LaTeX?

Typst compiles much faster and has a cleaner syntax than LaTeX, which makes it easier to learn and pleasant to iterate in. LaTeX still has a far larger library of templates and remains the format most journals expect, so the better choice depends on whether the destination needs LaTeX specifically.

How do I open a .typ file without installing anything?

The Typst web app at typst.app compiles and previews a .typ file entirely in the browser, with no local install required. It's the same compiler used by the desktop CLI, so the output matches.

How do I convert a Typst file to PDF?

Running `typst compile file.typ` with the Typst CLI produces a PDF, and the same happens automatically in the Typst web app or in an editor extension like Tinymist. Typst can also export to SVG, PNG and, in recent versions, HTML.

Converting Typst files#

Every conversion runs inside your browser. The file is read from your disk, the work happens on your own machine, and nothing is uploaded. How FileFlip works names the engine behind each family and how to verify that for yourself.