.hwp.hwpx
HWP and HWPX files: what they are and how to open them
An HWP file is a document from Hangul, the Hancom word processor widely used in Korea. Open HWP and HWPX files offline on Android or Windows in Universal File Opener, without Hancom Office. Read only.
Check your HWP file here
Nothing is uploaded. This page names the type and shows its details; to view it, use an app below.
What is an HWP file?
Hangul, from the Korean company Hancom, is the word processor behind many Korean forms, government documents and school files. It saves .hwp, and newer versions can also save .hwpx. Word cannot open HWPX, and opens HWP only with Microsoft’s free Hanword converter for Word 2016 and earlier on Windows.
HWP 5 is the long-lived binary format. HWPX is its XML successor, and Korean standard KS X 6101 describes it. HWP 3 is the old format from the 1990s. If someone sends you a Korean form as .hwp, this is the file.
What is inside
An HWP 5 file is a Compound File with named streams: FileHeader, DocInfo, BodyText sections and often a PrvText preview and PrvImage picture. The header carries the signature HWP Document File. An HWPX is a ZIP of XML parts, with section files under Contents.
Universal File Opener reads paragraphs with basic character and paragraph formatting, simple tables and page size. Pictures, equations, floating objects and exact Hangul layout are left out. Distribution-protected files are never decrypted; the app shows the file’s saved preview text with a notice, or refuses it.
form.hwpa Compound File├─ FileHeader"HWP Document File" and flags├─ DocInfofonts, character and paragraph styles├─ BodyText/Section0, Section1 …: the text├─ PrvTextplain-text preview└─ PrvImagepreview pictureHow to open an HWP file
Windows
- Hancom OfficePaid. The original program; it opens, edits and saves HWP and HWPX.
- Hancom Office ViewerFree for personal use. Opens HWP and HWPX to read, without editing.
- Universal File Opener for WindowsOursReads text, tables and page size offline, with search and copy. Read only.
Mac
- LibreOfficeFree. On its own it opens only old Hangul 97 files. For HWP 5 and HWPX, add the free H2Orestart extension, which needs Java.
Android
- Hancom DocsHancom’s app views and edits HWP and HWPX files on its free plan.
- Universal File OpenerOursReads text and tables offline, with search and copy. Free to open and read only.
In a browser
- Hancom DocsHancom’s online editor opens HWP files after you sign in and upload them.
Won’t open?
Word says it cannot open the file
Word reads HWP only with Microsoft’s free Hanword converter on Windows, and never reads HWPX. Use Universal File Opener on Android or Windows, Hancom’s free viewer, or ask the sender for a PDF or DOCX.
Korean text shows as boxes
The device lacks a Korean font. Windows uses Malgun Gothic when it is installed, and Android falls back to its system glyphs.
Pictures, equations or text boxes are missing
The reader leaves out body pictures, equations and floating objects. Ask the sender for a PDF when they matter.
Only a short preview appears
Protected or distribution-only files are not decrypted. The app shows the preview text and picture saved in the file, with a notice, or refuses if there is none.
An old HWP 3 file looks wrong
HWP 3 text uses the Johab encoding. Hanja and symbol codes need a device mapping, and codes it lacks are refused.
Convert an HWP file
- To PDFIn Hancom Office choose File, Save as PDF. Universal File Opener does not convert HWP files.
- To WordHancom Office can save a Word copy. Check tables and Korean fonts in the result.
HWP files in our apps
Universal File Opener reads Hangul HWP and HWPX documents offline on Android and Windows, with paragraphs, basic formatting, simple tables and page size. Search and copy the text. Files are read only.
All Android tools and limits for HWP files
- Reads HWP 5 and HWPX text with basic character and paragraph formatting, simple tables and page size. HWP 3 opens as text.
Limits
- Pictures, equations and floating objects are left out, and exact Hangul layout can differ.
- Protected files are never decrypted; a saved preview shows with a notice, or the file is refused.
- Files over 16 MiB are refused. No editing.