This file extension is associated with and used for data resource files in various computer games. Sometimes, although less frequently, this file extension is used for saved game positions.

Traditionally, the DAT file extension is used by many applications or programs for their resource or data files. No specific program is responsible for creating or using every type of DAT file., meaning they don't have an obvious program that opens them.

The DAT file extension is associated with Video MPEG movie file format stored on VCD optical disks. VCDs are playable in most DVD and Blu-Ray players as well as most computer multimedia players.

The DAT file extension associated with Microsoft Internet Explorer cache contains cached browsing data. Each time you open a web page in IE, the browser creates cache file of the page's graphics and text.

The DAT file extension is also used for the SPOT image format.

A DAT file extension is also used as a drive image file by the Nero BackitUp backup solution. This DAT file extension contains drive image created by the program.

The Shareaza software uses the DAT file extension for its thumbnails. Thumbnails are images that are reduced in size for easier scanning and recognition.

This DAT file extension is used by the SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) for its database files. It includes data about pesticides, fertilizers, lands, tillage, septic, and urban.

The DAT file extension associated with Tecplot contains text or ASCII data from which the program can generate 3D data.

This DAT file extension is used for one of the embroidery file formats made use by the sewing and stitching machines of Barudan.

The Bitcoin P2P payment service uses the DAT file extension for information such as keypairs for addresses, user preferences, default key, accounts, key pool, and others.

The game Prince of Persia uses the DAT file extension for its various game data like models, animations, and dungeon maps.

The DAT file extension is associated with the Unreal Engine such as Unreal Tournament, Unreal, Bioshock and many more. It is used as a data file for the internal purposes of Unreal.