.tex — LaTeX Source
Plain-text source for the LaTeX typesetting system, widely used for academic papers, theses, and technical documents with heavy formula content.
Source code is plain text and doesn't execute on its own — it has to be compiled or run by a specific tool, which is where any real risk would occur.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a .tex file?
Plain-text source for the LaTeX typesetting system, widely used for academic papers, theses, and technical documents with heavy formula content.
Can I edit a .tex file?
Yes — .tex files are commonly editable with software such as Overleaf.
Does having a .tex extension mean the file is safe?
No single extension can guarantee that. Source code is plain text and doesn't execute on its own — it has to be compiled or run by a specific tool, which is where any real risk would occur. Always consider where the file came from, not just its name.