raster format

What is a .SUN file?

SUN is the Sun Raster image format from Sun workstations, functionally the same as RAS and found in older Unix software.

Full name
Sun Raster Image
Developed by
Sun Microsystems
Released
1987
Extension
.sun
MIME type
image/sun
Transparency
Varies

How to open a SUN file

SUN opens in GIMP, ImageMagick and IrfanView; convert to PNG/JPG for everyday viewing.

What SUN 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 SUN images, upscale to 4K, or generate new visuals with SharkFoto AI.

Frequently asked questions

SUN is the Sun Raster image format from Sun workstations, functionally the same as RAS and found in older Unix software.

SUN opens in GIMP, ImageMagick and IrfanView; convert to PNG/JPG for everyday viewing.

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

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

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