PBM is the 1-bit member of the netpbm family: pure black and white, stored as readable ASCII or packed bits. It is the simplest image format that still counts as one — which is why half a century of tools can read it.
Typical use: Convert PBM bitmaps to PNG or JPG for viewing, or emit PBM when a fax/printer pipeline demands it.
About the PBM format
PBM is the 1-bit extreme of the netpbm family: every pixel is a single bit, black or white, stored as ASCII digits or packed bytes. Born as part of Jef Poskanzer's Pbmplus toolkit in 1988, it remains the zero-ambition format of choice for fax pipelines, print queues and anything that must never break.
There is nothing inside a PBM to lose: converting to PNG or JPG is a pure expansion, and converting black-and-white art back down to PBM is the standard way to feed old print systems.
Strengths
- ✓ Trivially parseable — the entire spec fits in a paragraph
- ✓ Perfect for 1-bit print and fax pipelines
- ✓ Zero patents, zero compression surprises
Limitations
- ✗ Black and white only — no gray, no color
- ✗ ASCII variant is enormous
- ✗ No alpha channel
- Structure
- P1 (ASCII) / P4 (binary) header + bits
- Types / schema
- 1-bit black & white
- Compatibility
- netpbm, GIMP, ImageMagick
- Best for
- Print/fax pipelines, 1-bit art
Convert PBM to…
48 direct directions plus 12 workflows, sorted A–Z; 🔥 marks popular targets.
Cross-engine workflows
Convert other files to PBM…
Frequently asked questions
What is a PBM file?
PBM is the 1-bit member of the netpbm family: pure black and white, stored as readable ASCII or packed bits. It is the simplest image format that still counts as one — which is why half a century of tools can read it.
How do I convert PBM files online?
Pick a target format from the "Convert PBM to…" list below, drop your file and hit convert. Everything runs in your browser — no install, no upload, no watermark, no limits.
Is it safe to convert PBM files here?
Yes. Every conversion is performed by your own device inside the browser — files never leave for a server, and the page keeps working even offline.
Which formats can PBM convert to?
This page lists all 60 directions across documents, images, audio, video, spreadsheets and archives — each one is its own free converter page.