LDF File Extension

SQL Server Transaction Log File

Overview – LDF File Extension in SQL Server

A log file or LDF (Log Database File) is a database file of Microsoft SQL Server, which stores all the transaction logs/events, which executes on the database.

The main purpose of using log file in SQL Server is to rollback the database in case of data loss.

Log file uses the same filename as its associated MDF file. The file extension for this file is .ldf.

Technical Specifications

MIME Type

Standard Identifier Application/octet-stream

Official media type for SQL log data streams.

File Signature Details

Hexadecimal Signature 01 0F 00 00 08

SQL Server proprietary log file header.

Location of LDF file in SQL Server

The default location of .ldf file depends on its SQL Server version:

SQL Server 2005

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\DATA\

SQL Server 2008

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\

SQL Server 2008 R2

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10_50.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\

SQL Server 2012

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL11.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\

SQL Server 2014

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL12.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\

SQL Server 2016

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL13.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\

Applications Supported

Microsoft SQL Server

How to Open and View LDF file

The LDF file can be opened using SQL Command Line Program. Each transaction or rollback command has different syntax for each LDF file.

Tools that open LDF File Extension

SysTools LDF Viewer

Specialized LDF Utility

Official Tool View Tool

Freeware LDF Viewer

Free LDF Utility

Free Tool Read More