How to open a PLY file online
- Drop the .ply file into the box above or click Choose file.
- Drag to rotate, scroll or pinch to zoom, right-drag or two-finger drag to pan.
- Use the buttons for front / top / side views, wireframe and screenshots.
- Pick an output format on the right to convert and download.
What the viewer shows
- Dimensions of the bounding box (X × Y × Z) in millimetres.
- Triangle count and number of parts.
- Surface area and volume (for closed meshes).
- Watertight check – whether the mesh is closed, which matters for 3D printing.
About PLY files
PLY (Polygon File Format) was created at Stanford University in the 1990s for 3D scanning research. It stores polygons or point clouds with optional per-vertex colour and normals, in ASCII or binary form. It is the common output of 3D scanners, photogrammetry and dental intraoral scanners.
Desktop programs that open PLY
- MeshLab
- CloudCompare
- Blender
- scanner software (Artec, EinScan, intraoral scanner suites)
Frequently asked questions
Is the viewer free?
Yes – viewing is free and unlimited, without an account. Converting and downloading is free for up to 3 files a day; Pro removes the limit.
Is my file uploaded?
No. The file is read by your browser and rendered with WebGL on your device. It is never sent to a server.
Can it show point clouds?
Yes. PLY files without faces are displayed as point clouds, with colours if the file has them.
Does it work on iPhone and Android?
Yes. Open the page in Safari or Chrome, tap Choose file and pick the model from Files or Downloads.