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Convert HDR to PNG - Universal Format, Quality Preserved

Transform high dynamic range images to PNG format that works everywhere.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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HDR Files Won't Open?

You have HDR images from 3D rendering software, photography bracketing, or CGI work, but most devices and applications can't display them. HDR (High Dynamic Range) files store extended luminance data that standard image viewers don't support.

Converting to PNG solves this instantly. PNG is a universal format that opens on every computer, phone, and browser while preserving your image quality with lossless compression. In our testing, HDR to PNG conversions maintained excellent detail even from 32-bit source files.

How to Convert HDR to PNG

  1. Upload your HDR file - Drag and drop or click to select your .hdr image
  2. Confirm PNG output - PNG is pre-selected for maximum compatibility
  3. Download your image - Your converted PNG is ready for any use

The entire process takes seconds. No registration, no software installation required.

Understanding HDR Format

HDR (Radiance RGBE) files store high dynamic range image data with 32 bits per channel, capturing far more luminance information than standard images. This makes HDR ideal for:

  • 3D rendering - Environment maps and lighting reference images
  • Photography - Bracketed exposure merges for tone mapping
  • CGI and VFX - Image-based lighting (IBL) for realistic scenes
  • Game development - Skyboxes and reflection probes

However, this specialized format isn't viewable in standard image applications. PNG bridges the gap between professional HDR workflows and everyday image sharing.

Why Convert to PNG?

PNG offers significant advantages when you need to share or display HDR files outside professional software:

  • Universal support - Every device and browser displays PNG natively
  • Lossless compression - No quality degradation from compression artifacts
  • Transparency support - Alpha channel preserved if present in source
  • Web-ready - Optimized for websites and online portfolios

When you need lossy compression for smaller files, consider HDR to JPG conversion instead. For maximum quality retention with transparency, PNG remains the better choice.

What to Expect

Converting from HDR to PNG involves tone mapping the extended dynamic range into a standard 8-bit or 16-bit color space. Here's what this means for your images:

  • Dynamic range - Extreme highlights and shadows are compressed to displayable values
  • Color accuracy - Core colors and mid-tones remain faithful to the original
  • File size - PNG files are typically larger than compressed JPG but smaller than raw HDR
  • Transparency - If your HDR has alpha data, PNG preserves it

For environment maps and IBL images where you need to retain full dynamic range for 3D software, keep your original HDR files. Use PNG exports for preview, sharing, and web display purposes.

Works on Any Device

Our converter runs entirely in your browser:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • Tablets and mobile devices

No downloads required. Your files stay on your device throughout the conversion process.

Pro Tip

When converting HDR environment maps for portfolio display, the automatic tone mapping produces good results for most images. For critical color work, consider adjusting exposure in dedicated software before conversion.

Common Mistake

Deleting original HDR files after converting to PNG. The PNG version cannot be converted back to true HDR with full dynamic range. Always keep your HDR originals for future 3D rendering or advanced editing work.

Best For

Creating shareable previews of HDR environment maps, preparing 3D renders for web portfolios, or making HDR photography viewable on standard devices and applications.

Not Recommended

Don't convert if you need to use the image for actual 3D lighting or advanced compositing. PNG cannot store the extended dynamic range data required for image-based lighting. Keep HDR format for professional 3D workflows.

Frequently Asked Questions

HDR (High Dynamic Range) is an image format that stores extended luminance data with 32 bits per channel. It's commonly used in 3D rendering, photography, and CGI for environment maps and image-based lighting. The .hdr extension typically refers to Radiance RGBE format files.

Some dynamic range information is necessarily reduced when converting from 32-bit HDR to 8-bit or 16-bit PNG. However, visible image quality remains excellent. The tone mapping process preserves detail in mid-tones while compressing extreme highlights and shadows to displayable values.

Standard image viewers and browsers don't support HDR's extended dynamic range format. HDR files are designed for professional 3D and photography software like Blender, Photoshop, or dedicated HDR viewers. Converting to PNG creates a universally viewable version.

Choose PNG for lossless quality and transparency support. Choose JPG for smaller file sizes when transparency isn't needed. PNG is better for images with sharp edges, text, or graphics. JPG works well for photographic content where slight compression is acceptable.

Yes. HDR environment maps (HDRI) used for 3D lighting can be converted to PNG for preview purposes or use in applications that don't support HDR. Note that the full lighting data won't transfer-keep original HDR files for actual 3D rendering work.

HDR files are created by 3D rendering software (Blender, Cinema 4D, 3ds Max), photography tools (Photomatix, Aurora HDR, Photoshop), and captured from real environments using specialized camera techniques with multiple exposures.

No. The conversion happens entirely in your browser using client-side processing. Your HDR files are never uploaded to any server, ensuring complete privacy for your images.

Yes. Upload multiple HDR files and convert them all to PNG in a single batch. This is useful when preparing a collection of environment maps or renders for sharing or portfolio display.

Both store high dynamic range data, but EXR (OpenEXR) is newer with more features like multiple layers and better compression. HDR (Radiance RGBE) is simpler and widely supported. Both can be converted to PNG for standard viewing.

HDR Conversions & Related Converters

Quick access to the most commonly used file conversions.