HWP File Extension

HWP file icon

Hanword Document

What is a HWP file?

The HWP extension is related to Hanword Document and is classified in the Document Files category, which contains 969 files.

The Hanword Document (HWP) was developed by Hancom, which created file format and 2 programs to work with them.

HWP files are supported by Windows, Mac OS and Linux. To open a HWP file, you can choose from 4 programs such as Hancom Office, OpenOffice Writer and Hanword (Hangul).

File Signature

HEX code: 48 57 50 20 44 6F 63 75 6D 65 6E 74 20 46 69 6C 65. ASCII code: HWP.Document.File.V.

How to open a HWP file?

If you cannot open a HWP file, it is most often due to missing software. Select a program from the list according to your operating system. Then go to the official website of the program developer, download it, and install it on your device.

Hancom Office, OpenOffice Writer and Hanword (Hangul) stand out as the preferred programs to manage HWP files effectively. To install the latest version of Hancom Office on your computer, visit the Hancom website where you can download the version available for all operating systems.

After completing the installation, HWP files should be recognized by the system and linked to Hancom Office.

Make Hancom Office the default HWP viewer

Change the default app to open files on Mac

  1. Right click or use Control + Left Click on the desired HWP file to access a dropdown menu of actions;
  2. Choose "Open in Application" and click "Other";
  3. In the lower section of the window, you’ll find the "Enable" menu, with "Recommended Programs" pre-selected as the default option;
  4. Select "All Programs" in this menu, and then search for Hancom Office. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to make sure it’s the default option.

Set default programs for Windows

  1. Start by right-clicking on your HWP file, then select the "Open with" option and choose "Choose another app" from the menu that appears;
  2. Inside the popup window, scroll through the list of applications and specifically choose Hancom Office as the application to associate with your HWP file;
  3. Check the "Always use this app" checkbox and click "OK".

Convert files to and from HWP

If you have trouble working with a HWP file, try converting it to PDF, DOC, DOCX or similar document files.

Be aware that converting a HWP file may reduce some features, but you can usually revert it to the original format.

Applications such as LibreOffice Writer and OpenOffice Writer offer offline conversion of HWP files to multiple formats, preserving quality.

Convert HWP to other file formats

Converting Files to HWP Format

Finding answers to HWP file problems

While HWP files can sometimes present difficulties, most problems can be resolved quickly with minor software modifications. Check the tips below to help solve them.

What are the ways to check if my HWP file is damaged?

HWP document files that have become corrupted may display one or more of the following symptoms:

  • The file does not respond or shows errors when opening it;
  • The file exhibits poor performance during editing operations in Hancom Office;
  • The file stops responding or freezes in Hancom Office or other programs;
  • Unexplained HWP file size inflation;
  • Actions performed on the file result in the appearance of error notifications;

Why does Hancom Office crash?

Insufficient updates for Hancom products can cause Hancom Office to crash. Be sure to regularly install the latest software updates.

A computer restart is often the key to solving numerous common problems. That’s why, it is recommended to restart the computer before making any changes to the software settings.

How to repair a corrupted HWP file?

Use a recovery program to open the damaged HWP file, and in the menu, click "Repair" to start the repair operation. Wait for the recovery process to finish, allowing automatic repair of damaged document files.

How to edit a HWP file?

To make changes to HWP files, you need specialized software that allows both opening and editing the document files. Online HWP editors offer fewer capabilities than applications optimized for Hanword Document.

Best HWP Editor Software in 2026

Taking the above factors into account, we have selected a list of HWP editors currently available.

HWP Editor SoftwareDeveloperPlatformsOverall Rating
OpenOffice WriterOpenOfficeWindows, Mac OS, Linux4.7 out of 5 (37 reviews)
LibreOffice WriterTDFWindows, Mac OS, Linux4.5 out of 5 (40 reviews)
Hancom OfficeHancomWindows4.4 out of 5 (40 reviews)
Hanword (Hangul)HancomWindows4.4 out of 5 (40 reviews)