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Format

DjVu File Format

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Summary

Name
DjVu File Format
Identifiers
  • PUID: fmt/255
  • MIME: image/x-djvu
Format type
Image (Raster)
Description
The DjVu file format is an image file format used primarily for storing scanned documents. The format, developed by AT&T Labs, is based on the Interchange File format. There are three elements that comprise a DjVu encoded image file: the mask which is encoded using the JB2 algorithm; the background encoded using the wavelet-based compression IW44; and the foreground, containing the colour of the text and the line drawings, also encoding using IW44. The background and foreground are usually lower resolution (100 dpi) colour images with the mask at a higher level resolution (e.g. 300 dpi).
File extensions
djvu, djv
Source
National Library of Singapore / National Library Board Singapore
Developed by
Caminova Corporation
Supported by
Caminova Corporation

Internal signatures

DjVu File Format

Note
Header ASCII: AT&T followed by container Chunk FORM, then either DJVMDIRM or DJVUINFO as secondary identifiers to DjVu document type. This is a generic signature which will identify all DjVu files up to DjVu specifications v3. No distinction is made between single or multi page documents, or any internal image encoding.

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
None
Byte Sequence
41542654464F524D{4}(444A564D4449524D|444A5655494E464F)
Endianness
None

Changelog

  • Updated in V125

    Release date
    7 September 2026

    DjVu File Format: Description correctly updated. Submitted by Digital Research Alliance of Canada - Federated Research Data Repository / Alliance de recherche numérique du Canada - Dépôt fédéré de données de recherche.

  • Updated in V120

    Release date
    25 February 2025

    DjVu File Format: New description added as part of PRONOM Research Week 2024. Submitted by Digital Research Alliance of Canada - Federated Research Data Repository / Alliance de recherche numérique du Canada - Dépôt fédéré de données de recherche.

  • Added in V46

    Release date
    8 February 2011

    DjVu Format: Record title updated from Document Express with DjVu Professional Edition and version information removed.

    DjVu Format: Signature developed through PRONOM Research.