STL to PLY converter
Drop an STL file and get a PLY back in seconds. STL is triangles only, used mostly for 3D printing slicers. PLY is stores vertex colours and point clouds, the usual choice for 3D scans, point clouds and research tools like MeshLab and CloudCompare. 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 stl to ply converter
- 1Choose your STL 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 PLYExport a PLY with one click. Downloads are included with every plan.
What carries over
- The PLY is written Z-up, which is what slicers and scan tools expect.
- STL is Z-up, so the model is turned Y-up on import and keeps its orientation in the PLY.
- Units: STL is unitless (slicers assume millimetres) and PLY is unitless. Numbers are copied 1:1, so check the size in the target app.
STL vs PLY
| STL | PLY | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | stereolithography mesh | Polygon File Format |
| Appearance | no colour or materials | per-vertex colour |
| Animation | No | No |
| Units | unitless (slicers assume millimetres) | unitless |
| Best for | 3D printing slicers | 3D scans, point clouds and research tools like MeshLab and CloudCompare |
Questions
- Is my STL file uploaded?
- No. The STL is parsed and the PLY is written by JavaScript in your browser tab. The file never reaches our servers.
- Will the PLY look the same as the STL?
- The geometry is identical. PLY holds per-vertex colour, 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.