What is a PNM file?
PNM (Portable Anymap) is the umbrella name for the Netpbm family covering PBM, PGM and PPM images. It was introduced in 1988 by Jef Poskanzer (Netpbm).
What PNM is good at
- One extension for the whole Netpbm family
- Uncompressed and simple
- Friendly to scripting
Where PNM falls short
- Large files
- No metadata
When to use PNM
- Unix-style image pipelines
- Teaching and research
- Format-agnostic tools
Where PNM files open
PNM files open in GIMP, ImageMagick, Netpbm and OpenCV.
PNM compared with PNG
PNM or PNG? PNM is best for Unix-style image pipelines. PNG is best for screenshots and UI graphics. Convert PNM to PNG or convert PNG to PNM.
Frequently asked questions
What is a PNM file?
PNM (Portable Anymap) is the umbrella name for the Netpbm family covering PBM, PGM and PPM images. It was introduced in 1988 by Jef Poskanzer (Netpbm).
What are the advantages of PNM?
One extension for the whole netpbm family; uncompressed and simple; friendly to scripting.
What are the drawbacks of PNM?
Large files; no metadata.
What programs open PNM files?
PNM files open in GIMP, ImageMagick, Netpbm and OpenCV.
How do I convert a PNM file?
Choose the PNM converter you need from the list on this page, drop in your file and press Convert. You get your new file in seconds, free and without sign-up.