raster format

What is a .PPM file?

PPM is a simple uncompressed raster format from the Netpbm family, often used in image-processing pipelines.

Full name
Portable Pixmap
Developed by
Jef Poskanzer
Released
1988
Extension
.ppm
MIME type
image/x-portable-pixmap
Transparency
No

How to open a PPM file

PPM opens in GIMP, IrfanView and command-line imaging tools.

What PPM 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
Purpose-built for its nicheNo transparency support
Large file sizes

Need more than a conversion?

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

Frequently asked questions

PPM is a simple uncompressed raster format from the Netpbm family, often used in image-processing pipelines.

PPM opens in GIMP, IrfanView and command-line imaging tools.

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

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

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