Updated June 29, 2026
File metadata by type reference
Most files store hidden information about how they were made. This sheet lists what each common type can carry and the way to clear it before you share the file.
Images
| File type | Metadata it can carry | How to remove |
|---|---|---|
JPEG | EXIF: camera model, settings, timestamp, and GPS location. | Redraw and re-export the image to drop EXIF. |
PNG | Text chunks, timestamps, and sometimes color profiles. | Re-export the image to strip embedded chunks. |
WebP / AVIF | Optional EXIF and XMP metadata blocks. | Re-encode the image without metadata. |
Documents
| File type | Metadata it can carry | How to remove |
|---|---|---|
PDF | Author, producer software, title, and create/modify dates. | Clear the document properties / metadata. |
DOCX / Office | Author, company, comments, and revision history. | Use the app's document inspector to remove personal data. |
Text / CSV | Usually little, but exports may include names or paths. | Review and redact sensitive content. |
Audio
| File type | Metadata it can carry | How to remove |
|---|---|---|
MP3 | ID3 tags: title, artist, album, and sometimes comments. | Edit or clear the ID3 tags in an audio tool. |
Sharing strips less than you thinkSome platforms remove metadata on upload, but messaging apps, email attachments, and direct file links often keep the original intact. Clear it yourself for sensitive files.
References
Questions
Which file type leaks the most by default?
Photos straight from a phone or camera are usually the biggest risk, because EXIF can include the exact GPS location where the picture was taken.
Does removing metadata change how the file looks?
No. Stripping metadata leaves the visible content unchanged; it only removes the descriptive information stored around it.