A SEED file is a data file saved in the Standard for the Exchange of Earthquake Data (SEED) format, a common data format used in the seismology field. It contains time series values, instrument metadata, or both. Time series values are a collection of waveform time intervals recorded by a seismic instrument. Instrument metadata includes instrument response information and the physical location of the station (where the instruments were when the data was recorded).

SEED files are generated by seismological instruments used to monitor seismic movements in the earth. The SEED format is maintained by the Federation of Digital Seismograph Networks (FDSN). SEED files that contain time series values and metadata are separated into two parts. The part containing the time series values is known as the "miniSEED." The part containing metadata is known as the "Dataless SEED." If a SEED file only contains time series values, it is called a miniSEED file but still has the ".seed" extension. If a SEED file only contains metadata, it is known as a Dataless SEED file but also still has the ".seed" extension. SEED files are typically converted into other data formats for processing. rdseed is a popular program used to open and convert SEED files to other formats.