Convert PLY to STL
Free · no signup · no watermark · runs in your browser · batch up to 20 files, download as ZIP
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This free PLY to STL converter turns your .ply models into .stl files. PLY comes out of 3D scanners and photogrammetry software, often with per-vertex colour instead of textures.
This conversion runs entirely in your browser. The file is never uploaded, which makes it instant, private and usable on work files you would not want to send to a stranger's server.
It also works as a bulk PLY to STL converter: drop up to 20 PLY files at once, they are converted one after another in your browser, and you can download each file on its own or all of them together in a single ZIP. A file that fails is listed with the reason and does not stop the rest of the batch.
How to convert PLY to STL
- Drop your PLY files onto the box above, or click it to choose from your computer. Up to 20 at once.
- Check the 3D preview and model info. If the model is the wrong size or lying on its back, open the options to set the source units or rotate Z-up to Y-up, then press Convert.
- Download each converted file from the list, or press "Download all (.zip)" to get the whole batch in one ZIP file.
What changes when you convert PLY to STL
STL stores triangles only, so any colours, materials, textures, UVs and animation in the PLY file are dropped. The geometry itself is kept exactly.
PLY and STL compared
| PLY | STL | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Polygon File Format | Stereolithography |
| Extension | .ply | .stl |
| MIME type | application/x-ply | model/stl |
PLY: The scanning and research format from Stanford. Stores vertices with optional colours, normals and UVs, and faces; often used for photogrammetry output and point clouds.
STL: The 3D printing workhorse: a list of triangles and nothing else. No colour, no materials, no UVs and no units (millimetres by convention), which is why every slicer and CAD tool can read it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert PLY to STL?
Drop your .ply file onto the box on this page and the .stl file is ready to download in a second or two. There is no signup, no email, no watermark and no file limit beyond what your browser can hold in memory.
Is this PLY to STL converter free?
Yes, completely, with no account, no trial and no watermark on the output. There is nothing to buy on this page: choose a file, convert it and download the result.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. This conversion runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript, so the file never leaves your computer. You can disconnect from the network after the page loads and it will still work.
Will converting to STL reduce the quality?
STL stores triangles only, so any colours, materials, textures, UVs and animation in the PLY file are dropped. The geometry itself is kept exactly.
Can I convert multiple PLY files to STL at once?
Yes, up to 20 files in one go. Drop or select them all together and they are converted one after another. Each file appears in the results list with its own download button, and "Download all (.zip)" saves the whole batch as a single ZIP. If one file cannot be converted, it is listed with the reason and the others still finish. For more than 20, run a second batch.
Found a problem, or something that could be better? We read every message and we fix things quickly.
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