PSD is Adobe Photoshop's native file format — a layered image container that preserves every mask, adjustment layer, smart object, and vector path in your design.
Safe format
Type Image
By Adobe
MIMEimage/vnd.adobe.photoshop
Drop any file to identify it
We read file headers, not extensions. Nothing gets uploaded.
PSD is Adobe Photoshop's native file format — a layered image container that preserves every mask, adjustment layer, smart object, and vector path in your design. Someone sends you a .psd and you don't have Photoshop. Welcome to the $660-per-year paywall of modern design. It preserves every decision a designer made, which is precisely why it weighs so much and opens in so little. Photoshop reads it perfectly. Everything else reads it with caveats. Affinity Photo comes closest. GIMP tries. Photopea, a free web app, is genuinely impressive for a browser tab. But the format exists to keep you in Adobe's orbit, and it does that job flawlessly.
Technical details
Full Name
Adobe Photoshop Document
MIME Type
image/vnd.adobe.photoshop
Developer
Adobe
Magic Bytes
38 42 50 53
Safety
.psd is a known, safe format.
What opens it
Adobe Photoshop
SubscriptionAll
Affinity Photo
$70All
GIMP
FREEAll
Photopea
FREEWeb
* Limited layer support
FAQ
How do I open a PSD without Photoshop?
Affinity Photo ($70 one-time) opens PSDs with good layer support. GIMP (free) handles basic PSDs. Photopea (free, web-based) is the quickest option for viewing.
How do I convert a PSD to PNG or JPG?
Open the PSD in Photopea (free, web-based) and export as PNG or JPG via File > Export As. GIMP can also open a PSD and export to either format. On macOS, Preview can open simple PSDs and export directly.
What is the difference between PSD and AI?
PSD is Photoshop's raster format — it works with pixels, layers, and photo editing. AI is Illustrator's vector format — it works with mathematical paths that scale infinitely. Use PSD for photos and textures, AI for logos and illustrations.
Are there free PSD editors?
Photopea (web-based) is the best free PSD editor with full layer support. GIMP (desktop, free) handles basic PSD editing but struggles with advanced features like smart objects and adjustment layers. Krita (free) can open PSDs for painting workflows.