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Netizen_Kane
Participant
December 10, 2021
Answered

Unable to save 16-bit PNGs

  • December 10, 2021
  • 3 replies
  • 3860 views

I am using the latest version of Photoshop (23.0.2) on MacOS (11.6.1).

 

If I change the mode to 16 bits per channel and export a PNG (without the option to convert to 8-bit for smaller files selected in the export menu), the exported PNG only has 8 bits of depth. If I export as TIFF, I am able to get a 16-bit TIFF file.

 

From the help center documentation it seems like it should be entirely possible to save 16-bit PNGs.

 

I have no plugins installed.

Correct answer J453

Only File > Save As... or File > Save a Copy... support 16-bit PNG files.

3 replies

J
J453
Legend
December 10, 2021

Hi @Netizen_Kane Yeah, the language can be a bit confusing. With these settings it produces a 24-bit file (3 x 8-bit channels, or an RGB file). By 8-bit, we mean a single channel 8-bit file (which is a fancy way of saying 256 Index color like a GIF)

 

Save for Web has a similar nomenclature. 

K
kate_2558
Participant
July 7, 2025
quote

Hi @Netizen_Kane Yeah, the language can be a bit confusing. With these settings it produces a 24-bit file (3 x 8-bit channels, or an RGB file). By 8-bit, we mean a single channel 8-bit file (which is a fancy way of saying 256 Index color like a GIF)

 

Save for Web has a similar nomenclature. 


By @J453

Well, I'm having this problem, and I need a grayscale, 16-bit image for use as a heightmap in Unreal, and saving as a 24-bit image is messing up my workflow hard.

 

How can I get Photoshop to stop cheating and save as a true 16-bit file?

CMass
Community Manager
CMassCommunity Manager
Community Manager
July 11, 2025

Hey @kate_2558, 

 

Having an old issue resurface can definitely be frustrating. Since this is an older post, you may not hear back from the original poster and any solution may no longer relevant.

Could you please create a new post in the community detailing your specific issue and any relevant information? That way, we can better assist you, and others can more easily find and respond to your question. Thanks so much!


^CM

N
Netizen_KaneAuthor
Participant
December 10, 2021

Thanks Jeffrey, that does work. It does seem like a bug though; why would there be an option to convert to 8-bit in the export menu if it's not possible to save as 16-bit anyway?

J
J453Correct answer
Legend
December 10, 2021

Only File > Save As... or File > Save a Copy... support 16-bit PNG files.

    V
    vincej29302023
    Participant
    July 20, 2023

    "support 16-bit PNG files"

    Sorry, I don't see this as an available option is the Save As dialog.

    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 20, 2023

    @vincej29302023  In the current version (v24.6)  if your document is 16 bits/channel then using Save As and selecting png will save a 16 bit/channel png.

    You will not see that png option if you have any features not supported by png (e.g layers). In that case use Save a Copy

     

    Dave

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