HDR display encoding
HDR is rendered to SDR using exposure and Reinhard tone mapping.
Convert HDR to PNG
- In your browser
- No upload
- Private by design
What happens when you convert HDR to PNG?
Transparency
The target can store an alpha channel, but converting an opaque image does not create transparent areas. Removing a background is a separate editing step.
Lossless sample storage
PNG compression is lossless. Palette conversion, resizing or reducing bit depth before encoding can still discard information. Animation is the APNG extension included in the third edition. PNG can store its supported image samples without lossy compression. This applies after rendering and sample conversion: it does not guarantee preservation of source precision, colour space or document structure, and cannot undo earlier losses.
HDR
Source
HDR
Radiance HDR / RGBE
Compression: LosslessTransparency: NoMetadata: Radiance header, EXPOSURE, FORMAT
Radiance pictures with a shared exponent for high-dynamic-range lighting values.
Explore HDR format →PNG
Target
PNG
Portable Network Graphics
Compression: LosslessTransparency: YesMetadata: Exif, ICC, Text
Lossless raster images with precise edges and optional transparency. The PNG standard also defines APNG animation.
Explore PNG format →Is HDR → PNG right for you?
Good choice when
- PNG fits your delivery use: Screenshots & transparent graphics.
- You need HDR-capable delivery and can validate its encoding and colour signalling.
- You need lossless storage of the rendered samples supported by PNG.
- You can validate the destination’s sample precision and colour interpretation.
- You need a PNG-compatible workflow that can hold transparency added in a separate edit.
Probably not when
- You require guaranteed scene-linear values or HDR appearance.
- You expect lossless encoding to restore lost details or editing structure.
- You require identical samples without a defined colour and precision policy.
- You expect automatic background removal or transparency.
HDR to PNG conversion details
- HDR display encoding
- HDR is rendered to SDR using exposure and Reinhard tone mapping.
- Transparency
- The target can store an alpha channel, but converting an opaque image does not create transparent areas. Removing a background is a separate editing step.
- Lossless sample storage
- PNG compression is lossless. Palette conversion, resizing or reducing bit depth before encoding can still discard information. Animation is the APNG extension included in the third edition. PNG can store its supported image samples without lossy compression. This applies after rendering and sample conversion: it does not guarantee preservation of source precision, colour space or document structure, and cannot undo earlier losses.
- Sample precision & colour
- Pixel conversion only. Original EXIF, GPS, XMP and ICC profiles are not copied; processing uses 8-bit display pixels.
- Metadata & colour
- Pixel conversion only. Original EXIF, GPS, XMP and ICC profiles are not copied; processing uses 8-bit display pixels.
- Compression
- HDR: Lossless → PNG: Lossless HDR: RLE preserves stored RGBE bytes; RGBE quantization is not exact storage of arbitrary float RGB. The .hdr format is distinct from the general concept of HDR photography. PNG: PNG compression is lossless. Palette conversion, resizing or reducing bit depth before encoding can still discard information. Animation is the APNG extension included in the third edition.
- Transparency
- Transparency is replaced with white by default. Change the background in Advanced options.
- Animation
- Still image output. Animated files use only the first frame; animation is not preserved.
- Colour depth
- HDR: 32-bit RGBE / XYZE pixel → PNG: 1–16 bits/sample
- HDR
- HDR: Radiometric values → PNG: Third-edition signalling
- Dimensions
- Rendered image dimensions are retained within the converter limits; this tool does not offer resizing. Orientation handling depends on the source decoder.
- Metadata
- Pixel conversion only. Original EXIF, GPS, XMP and ICC profiles are not copied; processing uses 8-bit display pixels.
Common questions
Will HDR automatically survive in PNG?
HDR is rendered to SDR using exposure and Reinhard tone mapping.
Will the background become transparent?
The target can store an alpha channel, but converting an opaque image does not create transparent areas. Removing a background is a separate editing step.
Does lossless output mean an unchanged source?
PNG compression is lossless. Palette conversion, resizing or reducing bit depth before encoding can still discard information. Animation is the APNG extension included in the third edition. PNG can store its supported image samples without lossy compression. This applies after rendering and sample conversion: it does not guarantee preservation of source precision, colour space or document structure, and cannot undo earlier losses.
Are bit depth and colour values guaranteed to match?
Pixel conversion only. Original EXIF, GPS, XMP and ICC profiles are not copied; processing uses 8-bit display pixels.
Will metadata and colour profiles be retained?
Pixel conversion only. Original EXIF, GPS, XMP and ICC profiles are not copied; processing uses 8-bit display pixels.