Can I convert HEIC to PPM / PNM on iPhone, Android, Mac or Windows?

Yes. ConvertPixels works in Safari, Chrome, Edge and Firefox on any device, so you can convert HEIC to PPM / PNM on your phone or computer without installing an app.

Is there a free HEIC to PPM converter with no sign-up?

Yes, this one. Converting HEIC to PPM on ConvertPixels is free, with no sign-up, no watermark and no daily cap. Convert up to 30 files per batch, each up to 50 MB.

Can I convert HEIC to PPM without losing quality?

Yes. PPM is a lossless format, so your converted file is pixel-for-pixel the same as the HEIC. Any compression artifacts already in the HEIC are carried over, though - converting can't remove them.

Does PPM keep the transparent background of my HEIC?

No - PPM has no transparency, so see-through areas get a solid fill. That's white unless you pick another background color in the options.

Can I batch convert HEIC to PPM?

Yes. Add up to 30 HEIC files and convert them in one batch. You can even choose a different output format for individual files, then download them separately or together as a ZIP.

Is it safe to upload HEIC files to ConvertPixels?

Yes. Uploads use an encrypted connection and are processed automatically - nobody views them. Your originals are deleted straight after conversion and the results within an hour, or instantly if you click "Delete from server now".

Convert

HEIC to PPM / PNM Converter

Convert HEIC images to PPM / PNM online in seconds - free, with no sign-up and no watermark. Batch convert up to 30 files and download them together as a ZIP.

Free
No sign-up
No watermark
Private by design

Choose filesor drag and drop files hereUp to 30 files · 50 MB each

Image Converter

How to use it

1
Drop your HEIC files onto the converter
2
Press Convert to turn them into PPM / PNM
3
Download your PPM / PNM images one by one or as a ZIP

HEIC to PPM / PNM

Why convert HEIC to PPM?

The main difference: HEIC is a lossy format, while PPM is a lossless format. HEIC can have a transparent background, PPM can't.

Stop losing quality on every save

A HEIC is re-compressed each time you edit and save it, and a little detail goes every time. PPM is lossless: it keeps every pixel exactly as it is, however many times you edit it.

Where PPM works best

PPM is ideal for simple uncompressed images for scientific and developer tools. Converting gives you a file that works in the apps and websites that ask for PPM.

HEIC vs PPM / PNM: what's the difference?

Property	HEIC	PPM / PNM
Compression type	Lossy (small files, some detail discarded)	Lossless (exact pixels, larger files)
Transparent background	Yes	No
Animation	No	No
Where it opens	Safari only; Windows needs an extension	None
Used for	iPhone and iPad photos (saves storage)	Simple uncompressed images for scientific and developer tools

What is an HEIC file?

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the photo format iPhones and iPads have used by default since iOS 11. It's Apple's flavor of the HEIF standard, compressed with the same HEVC technology used for 4K video.

A HEIC photo takes about half the space of a JPG at the same quality and can store extras like Live Photo frames and depth data. The catch is compatibility: Windows, many Android apps and most upload forms can't open it.

How to open an HEIC file

iPhone, iPad and Mac open HEIC natively. On Windows 10 or 11, install the free HEIF Image Extensions (and, on some PCs, the HEVC Video Extensions) from the Microsoft Store. Recent Android phones can view HEIC in their gallery. Anywhere else, convert it to JPG.

Extensions: .heic, .heif
Compression: Lossy (HEVC)
Transparency: Yes
Made by: Apple iPhone and iPad cameras

What is a PPM / PNM file?

PPM, PGM, PBM and PNM are the Netpbm formats: deliberately simple, uncompressed image files from the 1980s. They store pixels as plain numbers, which makes them easy for programs to read and write.

You'll mostly meet them in scientific computing, image-processing scripts and developer tools - rarely in everyday use.

How to open a PPM / PNM file

GIMP, IrfanView, XnView and Photoshop open Netpbm files, as do Linux image viewers. Windows Photos and browsers can't, so convert to PNG for a lossless, much smaller copy.

Extensions: .ppm, .pgm, .pbm, .pnm
Compression: None
Best for: Scientific and developer tools
Family: Netpbm