Photoshop file formats overview

Last updated on Oct 27, 2025

Understand how file formats differ in Adobe Photoshop and which format to use for full features, large files, and for 8-, 16-, or 32-bit images.

Graphics file formats store images as pixels (raster) or vectors and differ in compression and in which Photoshop features they preserve. To keep layers, effects, and masks intact, save a copy as a Photoshop (PSD) file.

PSD supports files up to 2GB. For larger files, use Large Document Format (PSB). Depending on your workflow, you can also use Photoshop Raw (flattened only), TIFF (up to 4GB), or DICOM.

Most images use 8 bits per channel. For a more dynamic range, work in 16-bit or 32-bit and use the matching save option.

Formats that support 16-bit (use Save a Copy): Photoshop (PSD), Large Document Format (PSB), TIFF, PNG, Photoshop PDF, Photoshop Raw, DICOM, Cineon, IFF, JPEG 2000.

Formats that support 32-bit (use Save As): Photoshop (PSD), Large Document Format (PSB), OpenEXR (EXR), Radiance (HDR), TIFF, JPEG XL (JXL), Portable Float Map (PFM).