Can I see the shutter count in a NEF file?

Often yes. Most Nikon cameras record a shutter/image count in the NEF metadata. Open the Raw data tab and look for ShutterCount or ImageCount. Use an unedited original, editing can strip the MakerNote.

How do I read NEF EXIF without Nikon software?

Drop the .nef file into the tool above. ExifGrabber reads the metadata and extracts the embedded preview in your browser, no Nikon NX Studio or Photoshop required.

Do NEF files include GPS?

Only if the camera had location data, from a built-in GPS, a GPS accessory, or a connected phone via SnapBridge. If present, the coordinates appear in the GPS tab on a map.

NEF EXIF viewer: read Nikon NEF metadata

Open a Nikon .nef RAW file to read its EXIF metadata, camera, lens, exposure, GPS, and on many bodies the shutter count, plus the embedded preview, right in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.

Drop an image here or click to browse

JPG · PNG · HEIC · DNG · CR2 · CR3 · NEF · ARW · ORF · RAF · RW2

What is NEF?

NEF is Nikon's RAW format, used across its DSLR and Z-series mirrorless cameras. It's a TIFF-based container that stores the sensor data along with rich metadata.

NEF files preserve the full tonal range the sensor captured (typically 12 or 14 bits per channel), which is why they're the choice for serious editing.

What metadata NEF files carry

NEF files carry standard EXIF plus extensive Nikon MakerNotes. Notably, most Nikon bodies record a shutter/image count in the metadata, one of the few brands that reliably does, which appears in the raw dump.

That makes a NEF straight from the camera useful for verifying a used Nikon: check the count in the raw data and confirm the body serial number.

Where NEF files come from

Nikon Z-series mirrorless (Z6, Z7, Z8, Z9, Zf…)
Nikon DSLRs (D850, D780, D7500…)

Want to remove the metadata?

Metadata removal for NEF isn't supported yet, RAW and HEIC files store metadata woven into the file structure. You can still view everything here. To strip metadata from a JPEG, PNG, or WebP, use the EXIF remover.

Related viewers

ExifGrabber reads every major format. Explore the full EXIF viewer, find the GPS location from a photo, or open another format: HEIC, CR3, NEF, ARW, DNG, RW2, ORF, RAF, PNG, WebP.

How to view NEF EXIF data

1
Open the NEF viewer
Load this page, no install, no account, no upload.
2
Drop your NEF file
Drag a .nef file onto the drop zone, or click to browse. ExifGrabber parses it and extracts the embedded preview in your browser.
3
Read the metadata
Browse the Camera, Exposure, GPS, and Date tabs, or open the raw data dump for every field. Copy or download it as JSON.