PBM Image — A .pbm file is a PBM Image. It is a raster or vector image format used for photos, web assets and design work.
Quick facts
What is .pbm
A .pbm file is a PBM Image. It is a raster or vector image format used for photos, web assets and design work.
In the mime-db registry it maps to image/x-portable-bitmap. When serving .pbm over HTTP, set the Content-Type header as shown in Developer info below.
Related entities: it maps to image/x-portable-bitmap — and is delivered over HTTP via the Content-Type header.
How to open .pbm files
Developer info
When served over HTTP, responses should set the following header:
Content-Type: image/x-portable-bitmap
Common software that reads/writes .pbm:
Relation chain
Related extensions
Related MIME types
Common uses
How to edit .pbm files
How to create .pbm files
Frequently asked questions
Common options include Photoshop, GIMP, Paint. You can also open many of these files with built-in viewers or a browser.
Create a new file in any text editor or the app that owns the format and save it with the .pbm extension.
image/x-portable-bitmap is the media type identifier used for .pbm files during network transfer (for example in the HTTP Content-Type header).
Sources & standards
Updated 2026-08-18
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