# Convert PNG to PBM

Convert PNG images to PBM (Portable Bitmap) format for monochrome image storage

> Canonical page: https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/png-to-pbm

- **Category:** Media

- **Keywords:** png, pbm, convert, image, format, monochrome, bitmap, portable

## Overview

This tool allows you to convert PNG images into PBM (Portable Bitmap) format, enabling efficient storage and processing of monochrome bitmap data.

## Inputs

- **PNG Image File** (file): Select PNG image to convert
- **Binarization Threshold (0-255)** (number): Enter threshold value (default: 128)

## When to use

- When you need to prepare images for legacy systems or hardware that only support monochrome bitmap formats.
- When you want to reduce image complexity by converting color or grayscale PNGs into a strict black-and-white PBM file.
- When you are developing software that requires simple, uncompressed pixel data for image processing tasks.

## How it works

- Upload your source PNG file using the file selector.
- Adjust the binarization threshold value between 0 and 255 to define the cutoff point for black and white pixels.
- Click the convert button to process the image and download your new PBM file.

## Use cases

- Preparing graphical assets for low-resolution embedded displays.
- Converting images for use in monochrome printing or specialized scanning software.
- Creating simple bitmap masks for image editing workflows.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a PBM file?

PBM stands for Portable Bitmap, a simple monochrome image format that stores pixels as either black or white.

### What does the binarization threshold do?

The threshold determines which pixels become black and which become white based on their original brightness; values below the threshold become black, and those above become white.

### Can I convert color images to PBM?

Yes, the tool will automatically convert color information into monochrome based on the threshold you set.

### Is there a file size limit?

Yes, the maximum file size for uploads is 10MB.

### Does this tool support batch conversion?

No, this tool currently processes one PNG file at a time.

## Related tools

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- [Convert DNG to PNG](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/dng-to-png): Convert DNG (Digital Negative) RAW files to PNG format. Automatically extracts image dimensions and metadata from the RAW file.

## Samples

- [PNG Samples](https://elysiatools.com/en/samples/png-samples): Sample PNG images in different aspect ratios and resolutions
- [PNG Viewer Samples](https://elysiatools.com/en/samples/png-viewer-samples): Sample PNG, BMP and AVIF images for the in-browser PNG Viewer
- [Web Image Processing Python Samples](https://elysiatools.com/en/samples/web-image-processing-python): Web Python image processing examples using PIL/Pillow including reading, saving, resizing, and format conversion
- [Android Image Processing Java Samples](https://elysiatools.com/en/samples/android-image-processing-java): Android Java image processing examples including reading/saving images, scaling, and format conversion