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Convert HDR to EXR - Professional High Dynamic Range Format

Transform Radiance HDR files to industry-standard OpenEXR for VFX pipelines.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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Why Convert HDR to EXR?

Radiance HDR (.hdr) files store high dynamic range imagery but are increasingly replaced by OpenEXR in professional workflows. Modern VFX studios, game developers, and 3D artists prefer EXR for its superior metadata support, multi-channel capabilities, and industry-wide adoption.

If you're working with HDR files from older software or HDRI libraries and need to integrate them into pipelines using Nuke, Houdini, or Unreal Engine, converting to EXR ensures seamless compatibility.

How to Convert HDR to EXR

  1. Upload your HDR file - Drag and drop or click to select your Radiance HDR image
  2. Confirm EXR output - OpenEXR is selected as your target format
  3. Download your EXR file - Your converted file is ready for professional use

The entire process happens in your browser. No plugins, no installations, no waiting for server processing.

HDR vs EXR: Technical Comparison

Both formats store high dynamic range data, but they serve different eras and use cases:

  • HDR (Radiance RGBE) - Created in 1991, uses 32-bit RGBE encoding. Simple format, widely supported in older tools
  • EXR (OpenEXR) - Developed by ILM in 2003, supports 16-bit and 32-bit float, multiple compression options, arbitrary channels, and deep data

In our testing, EXR files with lossy compression are often 40-60% smaller than equivalent HDR files while maintaining full visual fidelity. EXR also supports alpha channels, render passes, and cryptomatte data that HDR simply cannot store.

Common Use Cases

VFX Production

Studios running Nuke, Fusion, or After Effects-based pipelines typically standardize on EXR. Converting legacy HDR environment maps ensures consistent format handling across all shots.

Game Development

Unreal Engine and Unity handle EXR natively for lighting and reflection probes. HDR files often require additional plugins or manual conversion steps.

3D Rendering

Software like Blender, Cinema 4D, and Arnold renderer work optimally with EXR for image-based lighting. If your HDRI library is in Radiance format, converting to EXR streamlines your workflow.

What to Expect

Converting HDR to EXR preserves your full dynamic range. Both formats support the same luminance values, so you won't lose any lighting information.

Keep in mind:

  • HDR files are single-layer; EXR supports multiple layers but conversion creates a single RGB layer
  • File sizes may differ based on compression settings
  • Color accuracy is maintained throughout conversion

For standard photography or web display, consider HDR to JPG or HDR to PNG instead. EXR is specifically for professional workflows that need full dynamic range preservation.

Works in Any Browser

Convert HDR to EXR directly in your browser:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, ChromeOS
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • No software installation required

Your files stay on your device. Conversion happens locally using modern browser APIs.

Pro Tip

When converting HDRI environment maps for rendering, EXR's lossless compression often produces smaller files than uncompressed HDR while maintaining bit-exact data. This can significantly reduce storage for large HDRI libraries.

Common Mistake

Assuming all HDR files need conversion to EXR. If your software already handles Radiance HDR natively and you don't need multi-channel support, conversion is unnecessary overhead.

Best For

Studios standardizing on OpenEXR for VFX pipelines, or artists integrating legacy HDRI libraries into modern tools like Nuke, Houdini, or Unreal Engine.

Not Recommended

Don't use EXR for sharing images with clients or viewing on standard displays. EXR requires specialized software. For general viewing, convert to JPG or PNG instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

HDR (Radiance RGBE) is an older format from 1991 using 32-bit RGBE encoding. EXR (OpenEXR) was developed by ILM in 2003 and supports 16/32-bit float, multiple channels, compression options, and metadata. EXR is the modern industry standard for VFX and 3D rendering.

No. Both formats store full high dynamic range data. The conversion preserves all luminance values and color information from your original HDR file.

EXR is the preferred format in professional VFX pipelines. Software like Nuke, Houdini, and Unreal Engine work optimally with EXR. Converting standardizes your HDRI library for modern workflows.

Yes. Upload multiple HDR files and convert them all to EXR in a single batch. This is useful when migrating entire HDRI libraries to the EXR format.

Most professional tools support EXR: Nuke, Houdini, Blender, Maya, Cinema 4D, After Effects, Photoshop, and game engines like Unreal and Unity. It's the industry standard for HDR imagery.

Yes. Our HDR to EXR converter is completely free with no registration required. Convert as many files as you need without watermarks or limitations.

Yes. The converter runs in any modern browser including mobile Safari and Chrome. However, HDR and EXR files are typically used in desktop workflows for VFX and 3D work.

The converter handles HDR files of any resolution. Common HDRI environment maps range from 4K to 16K. Larger files may take longer to process in your browser.

If you need to share images on the web or view them in standard photo viewers, convert to JPG or PNG instead. EXR is specifically for professional applications that support high dynamic range workflows.

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