Create & edit

DBC editor for CAN messages and signals.

Create and maintain CAN and CAN FD databases in a desktop DBC file editor for Windows and Linux. Update messages, signal definitions, value tables, attributes and multiplexer settings, then review Original against Modified with Compare & Save before saving.

Get DBC Utility — $34 Read the guide

Included in Pro · Windows & Linux · Local processing

DBC Utility edit mode showing DBC message and signal editing
DBC Utility edit mode showing DBC message and signal editing

Built for the task

Edit definitions with the message in context.

  • Update message and signal fields while checking the existing database structure.
  • Review receiver, unit, range, scale, offset, and comment details in one desktop workflow.
  • Handle mux-related fields with the context needed for safer DBC edits.

Your workflow

How to create or edit a DBC file.

  1. 01

    Create a new database or open the DBC file you want to update.

  2. 02

    Edit the relevant fields and review surrounding signal definitions.

  3. 03

    Check the bit layouts and review your changes with Compare & Save.

Open the complete guide

Keep going

Helpful next steps.

Editor guide License and installation DBC compare guide

Before you get started

Questions about the DBC editor.

Create a new database, update an existing one, and review your changes before saving the next revision.

Read the complete guide
Can I use DBC Utility as a CAN DBC editor?

Yes. Create or edit CAN and CAN FD database definitions, including messages, signal fields, value tables, attributes and multiplexer settings. Inspect the associated bit layouts while you work.

Can I review my edits before saving?

Yes. Compare & Save shows Original against Modified so you can review the changes before confirming an editor save. You can also open two separate DBC files in Compare and edit either revision.

Is this an online DBC editor?

DBC Utility is a paid desktop app for Windows and Linux. Database viewing, editing and comparison run locally. Licensing, downloads, updates and support require internet access.

Where can I download the DBC editor?

Choose the Windows installer or a Linux DEB or RPM package from the Downloads guide. A Pro license is required to activate the app and includes viewing, editing, comparison, layouts, translation and recorded-log analysis.

Engineering guides.

All articles
DBC Engineering How DBC signal encoding and decoding works

A practical explanation of CAN DBC signal start bits, byte order, signedness, scale, offset, multiplexing, and how to encode or decode messages with Python and cantools.

 DBC Quality How to validate a DBC file before release

A practical DBC validation checklist for CAN and CAN FD teams covering message IDs, signal layouts, scaling, multiplexing, comments, log replay, and release review.

 CAN Data Analysis Decode CAN logs with python-can and cantools

A practical Python workflow for decoding CAN and CAN FD logs with python-can, cantools, DBC files, unknown-ID handling, timestamps, CSV export, and signal validation.

 CAN Reverse Engineering How to create a DBC file from reverse-engineered CAN logs

A careful workflow for reverse engineering CAN signals from raw logs, using stimulus notes, bit-change analysis, candidate signals, scale and offset checks, DBC drafting, and validation.

The rest of your workspace.

DBC ViewerDBC Compare ToolDBC TranslatorCAN Log AnalyserCAN DBC ToolCAN FD DBC ToolMultiplexed DBC Editor