PLY to STL converter
Drop a PLY file and get an STL back in seconds. PLY is stores vertex colours and point clouds, used mostly for 3D scans, point clouds and research tools like MeshLab and CloudCompare. STL is triangles only, the usual choice for 3D printing slicers. The conversion runs entirely in your browser, so your file never leaves your device.
Choose a file to see its details here. Nothing is uploaded: everything runs in your browser.
How to use the ply to stl converter
- 1Choose your PLY fileDrag it onto the panel or click to browse. It's read locally and never uploaded.
- 2Check the previewOrbit the model and check the triangle count, size and materials before converting.
- 3Download the STLExport a STL with one click. Downloads are included with every plan.
What carries over
- The STL is written Z-up, which is what slicers and scan tools expect.
- Units: PLY is unitless and STL is unitless (slicers assume millimetres). Numbers are copied 1:1, so check the size in the target app.
- If your PLY is a point cloud (no faces), only formats that support points can hold it. Mesh formats will come out empty.
PLY vs STL
| PLY | STL | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Polygon File Format | stereolithography mesh |
| Appearance | per-vertex colour | no colour or materials |
| Animation | No | No |
| Units | unitless | unitless (slicers assume millimetres) |
| Best for | 3D scans, point clouds and research tools like MeshLab and CloudCompare | 3D printing slicers |
Questions
- Is my PLY file uploaded?
- No. The PLY is parsed and the STL is written by JavaScript in your browser tab. The file never reaches our servers.
- Will the STL look the same as the PLY?
- The geometry is identical. STL holds no colour or materials, so surface appearance changes. See the notes above for this exact pair.
- Is there a file size limit?
- Files up to 150 MB open, but very large models depend on your device's memory. Desktop browsers handle big files best.