Is the file really zero bytes, or does it contain hidden whitespace?

It's a genuine zero-byte file, an empty Blob with no content at all, not a file containing a space, newline, or byte-order mark.

Can I choose the file extension?

Yes, whatever extension you include in the filename field is used as-is, .txt, .json, .gitkeep, or anything else.

Why would I need an empty file?

Common uses include testing how an upload form or parser handles a zero-byte input, creating a .gitkeep-style placeholder to keep an empty directory in version control, or satisfying a tool that just checks a file's existence.

Empty File Generator - Create a Zero-Byte File Online

Overview

Introduction

Sometimes a test or workflow doesn't need file content at all, just a file that exists with zero bytes in it.

This tool creates exactly that, with any filename and extension you choose.

What Is Empty File Generator?

An empty file generator that produces a genuinely zero-byte file under a filename you pick, downloaded directly from your browser.

It performs no server round-trip; the file is created and handed to your browser's download mechanism locally.

How Empty File Generator Works

The filename is validated to reject characters that are illegal in filenames on common filesystems (\ / : * ? " < > |), then an empty Blob is constructed and offered to the browser as a download under that name.

Because the Blob has no content, the resulting file is exactly zero bytes, not padded with whitespace or a trailing newline.

When To Use Empty File Generator

Use it when you need to test how an application, API, or parser behaves when given a zero-byte file, a common edge case that's easy to overlook.

It's also handy for creating .gitkeep-style placeholder files to make Git track an otherwise-empty directory.

Often used alongside Text File Generator and Binary File Generator.

Features

Advantages

Produces a genuinely empty file, not one with hidden whitespace.
Lets you set any filename and extension.
No server involved; the file never leaves your browser until you save it.

Limitations

Only controls the filename, not file metadata like MIME type sniffing on the receiving system.
Some filesystems restrict filenames further than the basic character check performed here (e.g. reserved names on Windows).

Examples

Creating a placeholder file

Input

filename: .gitkeep

Output

A 0-byte file named .gitkeep is downloaded.

The filename is used exactly as entered, with no extension required.

Best Practices & Notes

Best Practices

Use a descriptive filename that makes the empty file's purpose obvious later, rather than a generic name.
Pair with Create a Random Text File when you need both an empty-file and a populated-file test case.
Check your target system's own filename restrictions if you're generating files for an unfamiliar filesystem.

Developer Notes

The Blob is constructed with no parts (new Blob([])) rather than an empty string, since either produces a zero-byte result but constructing from an empty array avoids any ambiguity about implicit text encoding.

Empty File Generator Use Cases

Testing zero-byte file handling in an upload form or API
Creating a .gitkeep placeholder for an empty directory
Satisfying a script or check that only verifies a file's existence

Common Mistakes

Assuming a text editor's 'save' on a blank document produces a truly empty file; many editors add a trailing newline.
Forgetting to include the file extension in the filename field, since it isn't added automatically.

Tips

Include the full extension in the filename box, e.g. placeholder.tmp, since nothing is appended for you.
If your test needs a specific MIME type on the server side, that's determined by how the receiving system reads the extension, not by anything embedded in the empty file itself.

Empty File Generator