Image file formats supported in Photoshop

In Photoshop, you can save and share your work in many file formats. Knowing what each format does helps you choose the right one, whether for keeping layers for editing, enhancing for web, or preparing files for print.

Native Photoshop formats

Photoshop (PSD)

PSD is the default format and the only one (besides PSB) that keeps all features intact

• Works seamlessly with other Adobe apps like Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects, and GoLive.
• Preserves layers, effects, and other editing capabilities across compatible apps.
• Includes an option to save a composite version of the file, making it easier to open in other apps and older versions.

This composite version helps maintain the image's look and makes it easier and faster to open outside the app.

Large Document Format (PSB)

PSB is the preferred format for working with extra-large files that exceed PSD limits.

• Supports documents up to 300,000 pixels in width or height.
• Retains all features like layers, effects, and filters.
• Allows saving of 32-bit HDR images.
• Ideal for large-scale, high-resolution projects.

Most other apps and older versions cannot open files over 2GB, so PSB works best with the latest version.

Photoshop 2.0

This legacy format is only helpful if you're working with version 2.0 or apps that require it. It’s available only on macOS.

• Opens files in Photoshop 2.0.
• Exports images to apps that support only this older format.
• Flattens the image and removes all layers.

Not recommended unless you are working with legacy systems.

Photoshop Raw

Photoshop Raw is a flexible format for moving image data between apps and platforms.

• Supports CMYK, RGB, and grayscale images with alpha channels.
• Handles multichannel and Lab images without alpha channels.
• Works with any pixel dimensions or file size.
• Doesn’t support layers.

A Photoshop Raw file isn’t the same as a camera raw image—it’s not tied to a specific camera and doesn’t include unprocessed sensor data.

Common image formats

Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG)

JPEG format is commonly used for photographs and continuous-tone images in web documents.

• Supports CMYK, RGB, and Grayscale color modes.
• Does not support transparency.
• Uses lossy compression that reduces file size by discarding data.
• Higher compression lowers image quality.

Portable Network Graphics (PNG)

PNG format is used for lossless compression and web display.

• Supports 24-bit images
• Produces clean background transparency without jagged edges
• Preserves transparency in grayscale and RGB images

Graphics Interchange Format (GIF)

GIF format is used to display indexed-color graphics and images in HTML documents.

• Uses LZW compression to reduce file size and speed up transfer
• Preserves transparency in indexed-color images
• Does not support alpha channels

Tagged Image File Format (TIFF)

TIFF is used to exchange files between applications and platforms.

• A flexible bitmap format supported by nearly all paint, image-editing, and layout apps.
• Choose the BigTIFF option to save files larger than 4GB.

BMP

BMP is a standard Windows image format supported on Windows-compatible systems.

• Supports RGB, Indexed Color, Grayscale, and Bitmap color modes.
• Let's you choose between Windows or OS/2 format and select bit depth when saving.

WebP

WebP is a modern image format designed for the web that offers lossless and lossy compression.

• In version 23.2 and later, you can open, create, edit, and save WebP files directly.
• In version 23.1 and earlier, you must install the WebPShop plug-in.

Professional and specialized formats

Portable Document Format (PDF)

PDF is a flexible, cross-platform, cross-application format. Based on the PostScript imaging model, PDF files accurately preserve fonts, page layouts, and vector and bitmap graphics.

Photoshop recognizes two types of PDF files:

• Photoshop PDF files: Created when Preserve Photoshop Editing Capabilities is selected in the Save Adobe PDF dialog box.
• Standard PDF files: Created when Preserve Photoshop Editing Capabilities is deselected, or created by other applications.

Encapsulated PostScript (EPS)

EPS is a language file format containing both vector and bitmap graphics. It’s supported by almost all graphics, illustration, and page-layout programs.

• Used to transfer PostScript artwork between applications.
• When opened, vector graphics are rasterized into pixels.

Desktop Color Separations (DCS)

DCS is a version of EPS used to save color separations for CMYK images.

• DCS 2.0 supports exporting images with spot channels.
• Requires a PostScript printer for output.

Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM)

DICOM is widely used to store and transfer medical images, such as ultrasounds and scans.

• Stores both image data and metadata, including patient information.

Cineon

Cineon, developed by Kodak, is a 10-bit-per-channel digital format for high-quality image processing.

• Ideal for electronic composition, editing, and enhancement.
• Allows output back to film without image quality loss.

HEIF/HEIC

Modern mobile devices provide the capability to capture HEIF/.heic photos.

• macOS: Supported on macOS High Sierra (v10.13) or later
• Windows: Requires installing both HEIF and HEVC CODECs from Microsoft

Canon HIF/HEIC files are not supported. Use raw files from Canon cameras for best results.

Digital Negative (DNG)

DNG is an archival format for camera raw files designed to provide compatibility and decrease the proliferation of camera raw file formats. The Camera Raw plug-in can save camera raw image data in the DNG format.

High Dynamic Range (HDR)

Photoshop supports several formats for working with 32-bit HDR images:

• OpenEXR (EXR): Used in visual effects workflows; supports transparency, works only with 32-bit/channel images. Developed by Industrial Light and Magic.
• Radiance (HDR): This 32-bit-per-channel format was initially created for the Radiation system. It stores actual light data (luminosity), not just display colors, making it ideal for lighting simulations and 3D rendering.

Other supported formats

Interchange File Format (IFF)

IFF is a general-purpose data storage format that associates and stores multiple data types. IFF is portable and includes Maya IFF and IFF (formerly Amiga IFF).

PICT File and PICT Resource

PICT format is used in macOS graphics and page-layout applications as an intermediary file format for transferring images between applications. PICT format supports RGB images with a single alpha channel and Indexed Color, Grayscale, and Bitmap mode images without alpha channels.

Though Photoshop can open raster PICT files, it cannot open QuickDraw PICTs or save them in PICT format.

Pixar

Designed for high-end graphics applications like 3D rendering and animation. Pixar format supports RGB and grayscale images with a single alpha channel.

Portable Bit Map (PBM)

PBM file format, also known as Portable Bitmap Library and Portable Binary Map, supports monochrome bitmaps. It can be used for lossless data transfer and is part of a larger family that includes Portable Graymap (PGM), Portable Pixmap (PPM), and Portable Anymap (PNM).

Scitex Continuous Tone (CT)

CT format is used for high-end image processing on Scitex computers. Contact Creo for utilities to transfer files saved in Scitex CT format to a Scitex system.

WBMP

WBMP format is the standard format for improving images for mobile devices. WBMP supports 1-bit color, meaning WBMP images contain only black and white pixels.

File format compatibility

When selecting a file format, consider these factors:

• Layers and features: Preserve layers, masks, or Photoshop-specific features using PSD or PSB formats.
• File size: For web use, choose formats with efficient compression, such as JPEG, PNG, or WebP.
• Color requirements: For print work requiring CMYK, choose formats that support this color mode, such as PSD, TIFF, or PDF.
• Compatibility: If sharing with users of other applications, consider standard formats like TIFF, JPEG, or PDF.
• Quality needs: For maximum quality, use lossless formats like PSD, TIFF, or PNG. For acceptable quality with smaller file sizes, consider lossy formats like JPEG.