PLY (the Polygon File Format, sometimes called the Stanford format) stores 3D geometry and, often, extra data such as per-vertex colour. It is widely used for 3D scans and photogrammetry, where colour captured from the real object is baked into the mesh’s vertices.

Will the scan’s colours appear?

If the PLY includes per-vertex colour, the viewer displays it, so coloured scans look close to the captured object. If the file has only geometry, it is shown in a neutral shaded material. Either way, the dimensions and triangle count are reported accurately.

How do I move the camera around?

Drag with the left mouse button to orbit around the model, scroll (or pinch) to zoom in and out, and drag with the right mouse button to pan. The Reset button reframes the model if you lose it, and Spin rotates it for you.

How big a file can it open?

The viewer can handle large models, with the practical limit set by your device’s memory and graphics, not by us. Very heavy meshes (tens of millions of triangles) may load slowly or strain a phone, but typical models open quickly on a normal computer.

PLY Viewer

Open .ply files in your browser, including 3D scans. Drag in a PLY to rotate, zoom and pan, toggle wireframe, read its dimensions and triangle count, and save a screenshot. It opens on your device, with nothing uploaded.

No upload, opens locally
100% free
No sign-up, no app
GLB, GLTF, STL, OBJ, PLY
Private, stays on your device

Read the guide: GLB, STL, OBJ & PLY Explained

Drop a PLY file here

Or . Your file opens locally and is never uploaded.

How to use it

1
Open your model

Drag a file onto the viewer or click Open model. It loads straight from your device, with nothing uploaded.
2
Orbit, zoom and pan

Drag to rotate, scroll to zoom, and right-drag to pan. Turn on Spin to rotate it automatically, or Wireframe to see the mesh.
3
Inspect and capture

Read the triangle count, vertex count and dimensions in the info bar, then save a PNG screenshot of the current view.

When it comes in handy

View a 3D scan

PLY is common for scanned objects and photogrammetry, open one to inspect the result.

Check vertex colours

Many PLY files carry per-vertex colour, which the viewer shows so you can judge the scan.

Read the mesh size

See the triangle and vertex counts to gauge how detailed or heavy the model is.

Opens locally & 100% in your browser

Your model is read and rendered right here on your device. The file is never uploaded to a server, there is no sign-up and no size limit beyond what your browser can handle, and any screenshot you save is generated locally too.

Frequently asked questions

What is a PLY file?: PLY (the Polygon File Format, sometimes called the Stanford format) stores 3D geometry and, often, extra data such as per-vertex colour. It is widely used for 3D scans and photogrammetry, where colour captured from the real object is baked into the mesh’s vertices.
Will the scan’s colours appear?: If the PLY includes per-vertex colour, the viewer displays it, so coloured scans look close to the captured object. If the file has only geometry, it is shown in a neutral shaded material. Either way, the dimensions and triangle count are reported accurately.
How do I move the camera around?: Drag with the left mouse button to orbit around the model, scroll (or pinch) to zoom in and out, and drag with the right mouse button to pan. The Reset button reframes the model if you lose it, and Spin rotates it for you.
How big a file can it open?: The viewer can handle large models, with the practical limit set by your device’s memory and graphics, not by us. Very heavy meshes (tens of millions of triangles) may load slowly or strain a phone, but typical models open quickly on a normal computer.