File Extension Database

Open PNG File

File extension PNG is a file format used to store images. Images in PNG format are stored without quality loss. PNG is the most popular way to store lossless files on the internet. It was specifically designed to enable image transfer on the internet.

To open PNG files you can use any internet browser or graphics editor. Both Window OS and OS X have embedded mechanisms to view PNG files.

PNG files supports grayscale images, palette-based images and full-color non-pallete-based RGB/RGBA images. It also supports transparent images both by a single pixel value and as an alpha channel. PNG compression is typically better than GIF files except for smaller images. JPG can often provide better compression than PNG but significant artifacts could be introduced in images with text or around high contrast areas.

PNG files are an evolutionary response to the GIF format, since the latter had some drawbacks, such as the need for a patent license and its limited color gamut of 256, which did not adapt to the constant improvement of the resolution of images. computer screens. The PNG file format has some important advantages, including that it can be compressed without losing quality. Also, PNG files support up to 16 million colors.

The background of PNG files can be made transparent, which is useful if you want to use your image with a different colored background or place it on top of something.

However, PNG files are usually larger than JPGs.

It's also important to note that a PNG cannot be scaled infinitely, as it is still a pixel file.

But it is a very high-quality file, so it can be used for most applications, especially web-related ones.

Most modern operating systems have native applications to open a PNG file, so to open it you just need to double-click the file.

PNG files use image/png MIME media type.

Every PNG file starts with 8 bytes: 89 50 4E 47 0D 0A 1A 0A. Bytes from 2 to 4 code "PNG" in ASCII format.

Typical PNG application file locations:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera\Opera.exe "%1"
C:\Program Files\Paint.NET\PaintDotNet.exe "%1"
%SystemRoot%\System32\rundll32.exe "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Photo Gallery\PhotoViewer.dll"
C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe "C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Photo Viewer\PhotoViewer.dll", ImageView_Fullscreen %1
C:\Program Files (x86)\QuickTime\PictureViewer.exe "%1"
C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Photo Gallery\WLXPhotoGallery.exe /LaunchPhotoViewer /v "%1"

Typical PNG mime types:

image/png
 ImageView_Fullscreen %1

Frequently used application names to open PNG files:

Opera
Paint.NET
Windows Photo Gallery
Windows Photo Viewer
QuickTime
Windows Live

Frequently associated Windows objects:

Opera.Image
Paint.NET.1
pngfile
QuickTime.png
WindowsLive.PhotoGallery.png.14.0

How Can I Open PNG File on Windows

We researched and learned that the best way to open PNG file is to find a PNG file in question in Windows OS File Explorer and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a PNG file is not opened in an application and you instead get a "Windows can't open a file" error message you should try looking for an application which can open the file in question.
If you know the application which can open PNG file then run it and see if there is a File->Open main menu option in the application.
If you don't know the application which function as PNG file opener then try to search online for "PNG viewer", "application to open PNG file" or "open PNG file" queries in the search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can open PNG file

How Can I Open PNG File on Mac OS

We recommend to find a PNG file in question in Mac OS Finder and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a PNG file is not opened in a Mac OS application and you instead get a "There is no application set to open the file" error message you can click on "Search App Store" in the error dialog and Mac OS will show you applications compatible with PNG file.
If you know the Mac OS application which can work as PNG file opener you can choose the "Choose Application..." option in the error box to associate the file extension and open PNG file in it.
If you don't know the application which can open PNG file then try to search for "PNG viewer", "application to open PNG file" or "read PNG file" queries in the online search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can read PNG file

How Can I Open PNG File on Android

If you downloaded a PNG file on Android device you can open it by following steps below:

In the Android apps list on your Android device find "My Files" or "File manager" app and tap to start it.
Tap on "Downloads" folder inside the app.
You should see your downloaded PNG file in that folder.
Tap on the file. If Android device supports opening the file you downloaded it will open in the corresponding app.
If file does not open you can look for the corresponding app that can open the file by searching Android App Store for the "PNG".
If you cannot open the file with the apps from Android App Store it is possible that the file could only be opened on desktop platforms such as Windows or Mac OS. Try searching for "PNG viewer", "PNG file reader" online and see if any desktop applications can open it.
It is also possible that the file you downloaded is outdated and is no longer supported.

How to Open PNG File on iPhone or iPad

To open PNG File on iOS device follow steps below:

We advies to open Files app on your iPhone or iPad device. You can find it by swiping down on the home screen and typing "Files" in the search bar.
Tap on the Downloads folder on the Files app home screen.
You will see all files that you recently downloaded. Tap on the PNG file to view it.
If you have the right app that can open it it will automatically launch and open your file.
If you don't have the app which can open it you need to serch Apple app store for "PNG". This way you can find apps which can open PNG files.
If this doesn't help it is possible that your file could be opened only by the desktop application. To find an app which can open it on desktop look for "PNG viewer" or "PNG file" online in your favorite search engine.