PFM to PNG Converter
Convert PFM to PNG in your browser. PFM files usually come from computer vision benchmarks (the Middlebury stereo disparity maps, for example), HDR research and renderers; PNG is the better fit for screenshots, logos, graphics and anything that needs transparency. You get a lossless 8-bit PNG with full alpha. Nothing is uploaded.
- Processed locally
- No upload, no wait
- No sign-up
- No watermark
Drop images here
or choose files · paste with Ctrl/⌘ V
PFM expected · other image formats also work
How to use PFM to PNG
- 1
Add your PFM files: drop them here, choose them, or paste from the clipboard.
- 2
There is nothing to tune: the PNG is written losslessly. Resizing and rotating are under More options if you need them.
- 3
Click Convert. Each file is decoded and encoded in a background thread on this device.
- 4
Download the .png files one at a time or together as a ZIP.
Why use Aback Images for pfm to png
Where the PNG goes next
PNG opens in every browser, operating system and image editor.
PNG next to PFM
Both sides are lossless, so the size depends on how well the PNG encoder handles this picture compared with the PFM's none.
Written without a lossy pass
The PNG is written losslessly, so the pixels decoded from the PFM arrive unchanged, apart from precision beyond 8 bits per channel.
Processed on your device
Your images are decoded, edited and encoded inside this browser tab by Web Workers. Nothing is uploaded to a server.
PFM vs PNG
What changes from PFM to PNG
Encoding: the PFM uses none; PNG uses lossless DEFLATE with a prediction filter chosen per row, and the download is a lossless 8-bit PNG with full alpha.
Bit depth: 32-bit floating point per channel in the PFM; PNG allows 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16 bits per channel, and the PNG written here has 8 bits per channel. Float values are mapped to 8 bits per channel, and values above 1.0 clip.
Colour: RGB ('PF') or greyscale ('Pf'), in linear values in the PFM; PNG supports RGB, greyscale, or an indexed palette of up to 256 colours, written here as 8-bit sRGB.
Metadata: the PFM can carry none beyond the header; PNG can carry text chunks, an ICC profile, physical resolution and EXIF in an eXIf chunk, but nothing is copied across.
About PFM
PFM is a minimal floating-point image format in the Netpbm style: a three-line text header and raw 32-bit floats. Research code uses it for HDR images, disparity and depth maps.
A PFM file is the text 'PF' (colour) or 'Pf' (greyscale), the width and height, and a scale factor whose sign gives the byte order (negative means little-endian), then 32-bit floats with rows stored from the bottom of the image up.
PFM files usually come from computer vision benchmarks (the Middlebury stereo disparity maps, for example), HDR research and renderers.
About PNG
PNG stores pixels losslessly with full alpha transparency. It is ideal for screenshots, logos, UI and anything with sharp edges, but photos saved as PNG are several times larger than JPEG.
A PNG opens with an 8-byte signature and is a chain of chunks, each with its own CRC: IHDR (size, depth, colour type), optional PLTE and tRNS for palettes, one or more IDAT chunks with the compressed rows, and IEND.
When converting PFM to PNG makes sense
PNG is the better choice for screenshots, logos, graphics and anything that needs transparency, while PFM suits HDR research, depth and disparity maps.
PNG strengths: Lossless: no quality loss, ever; Full transparency with smooth edges; Perfect for text, screenshots and graphics. Drawbacks to weigh: Large files for photographs; No standard animation (that is APNG).
Limitations
- PFM stores raw measurements: depth and disparity maps hold distances rather than colours, so the converted picture is a visualisation, not a photograph.
- Values above 1.0 are clipped rather than tone-mapped.
- A PNG of a photograph is often several times larger than a JPG; PNG pays off for screenshots, graphics and anything with transparency.
- The PNG is written in full colour; Compress PNG can shrink it further with a palette.
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Frequently asked questions
Does converting PFM to PNG lose quality?
PNG is written losslessly, so the pixels are stored exactly as decoded. Float values are mapped to 8 bits per channel, and values above 1.0 clip.
Which apps open PNG files?
Every browser, operating system and image editor.
Are my images uploaded anywhere?
No. Processing happens inside your browser with WebAssembly and Web Workers. The site only downloads the app code and codecs; your files never leave your device. You can confirm this with the live upload counter on the tool, or in your browser's network panel.
Can I process many files at once?
Yes. Drop a whole selection or folder. Files are processed in parallel on several worker threads, each result can be downloaded on its own, and everything can be saved as one ZIP.
Is it free? Is there a file limit or watermark?
It is free with no account, no watermark and no daily limit. The only limit is your device's memory: very large images (over roughly 100 megapixels) may be refused to keep the tab from crashing.