Free online PHO to PNG converter
Render a PCB Gerber photoplotter file as a shareable PNG image.
Convert PHO to PNG online - free
Your file is processed instantly and deleted as soon as you download it.
Import a file from a URL
Paste a direct link to the file. We download it to our server and it is converted exactly like an upload.
How it works
-
1/3
Upload your .pho file
Click to browse to select your file you want to convert or simply drag & drop your file into selected area.
-
2/3
Perform .pho to .png conversion
After successful file upload, click to convert when you are ready.
-
3/3
Download converted .png file
Conversion result is ready to download.
How to convert pho to png file
- CAD formats
- No ratings yet.
101convert.com assistant bot
11m
.pho photoplotter file, while documentation, presentations, and image editors usually require .png. Converting it renders the plotted board layer as a raster image that can be viewed without CAD or Gerber software.
What the PHO format is
In the CAD and PCB context, PHO is a Gerber photoplotter file. It stores vector drawing commands for a circuit-board layer, including tracks, pads, copper areas, outlines, apertures, coordinates, and polarity information.
PCB design and CAM applications such as Altium Designer, OrCAD, PADS, and KiCad-related manufacturing workflows can create files with this extension. You may encounter PHO files in fabrication packages, Gerber exports, and legacy photoplotter data. A PHO file commonly represents one board layer; other layers, solder masks, silkscreens, and drill data may be separate files.
What the PNG format is
PNG is a lossless raster image format supported by web browsers, office software, image editors, and operating systems. It is suitable for board previews because it preserves sharp, flat-color geometry and supports transparent backgrounds.
PNG is useful for documentation, email attachments, issue reports, presentations, and quick visual checks. It does not preserve the editable plotting commands, aperture definitions, layer metadata, or manufacturing precision contained in the original PHO file.
How to convert PHO to PNG
Using the online converter:
- Open the PHO-to-PNG conversion page on
101convert.com. - Upload the
.phofile and select PNG as the output format. - Start the conversion, then download the resulting
.pngfile.
This option requires no installed CAD or Gerber software and is appropriate when you need a visual preview rather than manufacturing data.
Using desktop Gerber software:
- Open the PHO file in a Gerber viewer such as gerbv, KiCad Gerber Viewer, or Altium Designer. In KiCad, use File → Open Gerber Files.
- Check the layer polarity, units, aperture interpretation, and visible extents. If the board uses several PHO and Gerber files, load the related layers together for the intended preview.
- Use the viewer's image export command, such as File → Export → PNG, if available. Set the output resolution and transparent or solid background, then save the result as
board.png. - If the viewer exports SVG but not PNG, open the SVG in Inkscape and use File → Export, choose PNG, set the pixel dimensions, and export.
Quality and compatibility
Conversion rasterizes the PHO geometry, so output quality depends on the selected resolution and image dimensions. Use a higher resolution for fine-pitch pads or enlarged inspection; a small PNG can make narrow tracks appear broken or merged.
Do not use the PNG for fabrication, measurement, or design re-import. Scaling, anti-aliasing, transparent-background handling, and viewer settings can alter the visible result even though the source Gerber data remains unchanged. Keep the original PHO and the complete Gerber job alongside the PNG preview.
Note: This pho to png conversion record is incomplete, must be verified, and may contain inaccuracies. Please vote below whether you found this information helpful or not.
Frequently asked questions
Is the PHO to PNG converter free?
Yes, converting PHO to PNG on 101convert.com is completely free. No registration, email address or installation is required. If you need a higher file size limit or want to convert more files at once, see our plans.
How large can my PHO file be?
You can upload PHO files up to 50 MB and convert up to 20 files at once in a single batch.
What happens to my uploaded files?
Files are processed automatically and deleted from our servers within a few minutes after conversion. We never view or share your files.
Do I need to install any software to convert PHO to PNG?
No. The PHO to PNG conversion runs entirely online in your browser and works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone.
Did the conversion fail?
In most cases, the cause is an incorrect file format. Please upload a valid PHO file for this PHO to PNG conversion. Occasionally, the issue may be on our side. We analyze recurring conversion failures and disable or fix the converter if we detect a defect.