Supported image formats

Camera raw file formats contain unprocessed data from a digital camera’s sensor. Most camera manufacturers save image data in a proprietary camera format. Lightroom reads the data from most cameras and processes it into a full-color photo. You can use the controls in the Develop module to process and interpret the raw image data for your photo.

For a full list of supported cameras and lens profiles, see these resources:

• Supported camera models
• Supported lens profiles

Digital Negative format (DNG)

The Digital Negative (DNG) is a publicly available archival format for raw files generated by digital cameras. DNG addresses the lack of an open standard for the raw files created by individual camera models, ensuring that photographers can access their files in the future. You can convert proprietary raw files to DNG from within Lightroom Classic.

For more information about the Digital Negative (DNG) file format, see DNG files. You’ll find comprehensive information and a link to a user forum. Lightroom can import 32-bit DNG images.

AVIF

AVIF (AV1 Image File Format) is an image compression format designed for superior efficiency and quality. AVIF offers smaller file sizes than traditional formats like JPEG, making it ideal for faster website loading and reducing storage needs. AVIF is also supported while editing HDR images. 

HEIF/HEIC

Some modern camera devices provide the capability to capture HEIF/.heic/HIF photos and HEVC (H.265) videos, Lightroom and Camera Raw now support these file types for import and sync.

• macOS - Lightroom Classic and Lightroom support HEIF/.heic/HIF, JPEG XL, and AVIF files running on macOS High Sierra v10.13 or later.
  
• Windows - Lightroom Classic and Lightroom support HEIF/.heic/HIF, JPEG XL, and AVIF files running on Windows 10.
  

To learn more, see HEIC and HEVC media files support in Lightroom and Camera Raw.

TIFF format

Tagged-Image File Format (TIFF, TIF) is used to exchange files between applications and computer platforms. TIFF is a flexible bitmap image format supported by virtually all paint, image-editing, and page-layout applications. Also, virtually all desktop scanners can produce TIFF images. Lightroom supports large documents saved in TIFF format (up to 65,000 pixels per side). However, most other applications, including older versions of Photoshop (pre-Photoshop CS), do not support documents with file sizes greater than 2 GB. Lightroom can import 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit TIFF images.

The TIFF format provides greater compression and industry compatibility than Photoshop format (PSD), and is the recommended format for exchanging files between Lightroom and Photoshop.

In Lightroom Classic, you can export TIFF image files with a bit depth of 8 bits or 16 bits per channel.

JPEG format

Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) and JPEGXL formats are commonly used to display photographs and other continuous-tone images in web photo galleries, slide shows, presentations, and other online services. JPEG and JPEGXL retain all color information in an RGB image but compress file size by selectively discarding data. A JPEG image is automatically decompressed when opened. In most cases, the Best Quality setting produces a result indistinguishable from the original.

Photoshop format (PSD)

Photoshop format (PSD) is the standard Photoshop file format. To import and work with a multi-layered PSD file in Lightroom, the file must be saved in Photoshop with the Maximize PSD and PSB File Compatibility preference turned on. You’ll find the option in the Photoshop file handling preferences. Lightroom imports and saves PSD files with a bit depth of 8 bits or 16 bits per channel. To work with 32-bit images in Lightroom, save your file as TIFF or PSB.

Large Document format (PSB)

The Large Document Format (PSB) file in Lightroom Classic supports documents up to 65,000 pixels in long edge and a maximum dimension of 512 megapixels. As with the PSD file format, the file must be saved in Photoshop with the Maximize PSD and PSB File Compatibility preference turned on. Camera Raw 12.2 or greater is required to use Lightroom Classic's Edit in Photoshop feature with PSB images.

CMYK files

Lightroom imports CMYK files but adjustments and output are performed in the RGB color space.

PNG format

Developed as a patent-free alternative to GIF, Portable Network Graphics (PNG) format is used for lossless compression and for display of images on the web. Unlike GIF, PNG supports 24‑bit images and produces background transparency without jagged edges; however, some web browsers do not support PNG images. PNG format supports RGB, Indexed Color, Grayscale, and Bitmap mode images without alpha channels. PNG preserves transparency in grayscale and RGB images.

WebP

WebP is an image format developed by Google to reduce image file sizes without compromising appearance. It supports both lossy and lossless compression, along with transparency, which makes it popular for faster websites and apps where loading speed still matters as much as visual quality.

Video files

Refer to the following resources for related information:

• To learn about the supported video formats, see Supported video file formats in Lightroom Classic and Lightroom.
• To know how to preview videos, set poster frames, and create stills from the frames, see Work with video in Lightroom Classic.

File format exceptions

Lightroom does not support the following types of files:

• Adobe Illustrator
• Nikon scanner NEF
• Files with dimensions greater than 65,000 pixels per side or larger than 512 megapixels.

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