raster format

What is a .PBM file?

PBM (Portable Bitmap) is the simplest Netpbm format, storing pure black-and-white images as plain text or binary — handy in scripts and pipelines.

Full name
Portable Bitmap
Developed by
Jef Poskanzer
Released
1988
Extension
.pbm
MIME type
image/pbm
Transparency
Varies

How to open a PBM file

PBM opens in GIMP, IrfanView and Netpbm tools; convert to PNG for everyday use.

What PBM files are used for

Photos & web images

Share, post and embed pictures across sites and apps.

Editing & design

Work with the format in editors like Photoshop and GIMP.

Storage & archiving

Keep memories and assets in a widely-readable form.

Strengths & limitations

✔ Strengths✖ Limitations
Excellent compatibilityNo transparency support
Limited support — may need converting

Need more than a conversion?

Remove the background from PBM images, upscale to 4K, or generate new visuals with SharkFoto AI.

Frequently asked questions

PBM (Portable Bitmap) is the simplest Netpbm format, storing pure black-and-white images as plain text or binary — handy in scripts and pipelines.

PBM opens in GIMP, IrfanView and Netpbm tools; convert to PNG for everyday use.

PBM is optimised for its specific use rather than strictly lossless storage.

Use SharkFoto's free tools — upload your PBM file and convert it to a more convenient format in seconds. It's free, processed securely and never stored.

No — PBM doesn't store transparency; convert to PNG or WEBP if you need it.