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model → any format

Convert stl mesh files

The mesh format for 3D printing. A list of triangles and nothing else. Either an ASCII list of facets or a binary array of triangle records with normals and vertex coordinates. That is the format you end up with when something needs to look the same on every screen, which is why it keeps turning up in sending a model to a 3d printing service. From here it can become GLB and OBJ, and the conversions run on your own device, so the file is never uploaded anywhere.

At a glance

Source
STL
Where it runs
Your browser
Cost
Free, unlimited
Account
Not needed
STL

Converter

Universal converter

On device

Drop one or more stl mesh files.

or select stl mesh

Your file never leaves this browser

    About the format

    The mesh format for 3D printing.

    Either an ASCII list of facets or a binary array of triangle records with normals and vertex coordinates.

    Where it is good
    • Almost every 3D printer and slicer reads it
    • Very simple, so there is nothing to get wrong
    • Fast to load into a slicer
    Where it falls short
    • No colour, no texture, no material information
    • No units — the file is just numbers and you have to know the scale
    • Enormous for a curved object because a curve is thousands of triangles
    You will find it on
    3D printers, slicers, CAD packages, maker spaces

    The thing people miss

    STL has no units at all, which is why the same file can print 10 mm tall in one slicer and 10 cm tall in another.

    Where it goes next

    Sending a model to a 3D printing service

    Real jobs

    What people are actually doing with STL

    Sending a model to a 3D printing service

    A quick shape for a workshop

    Checking a 3D model before ordering a print

    How to

    Converting a STL file

    1. 01

      Add your stl mesh

      Drag the file onto the drop zone, or tap to browse. Only one file is needed.

    2. 02

      Pick what you want it to become

      Every format this file can become is listed in the switchboard. Pick one and the converter opens with sensible defaults already set.

    3. 03

      Download the result

      Your converted file downloads straight to your device. Nothing was uploaded, so there is no file to delete from a server afterwards.

    Also available

    STL converts into

    GLBglTF binaryOBJWavefront mesh

    Questions

    STL conversion questions

    How do I convert STL to another format?

    Add your stl mesh file to the drop zone, choose the target format, adjust the options if you want to, and press convert. The finished file downloads immediately.

    Is my file uploaded anywhere?

    For most conversions, no. They run entirely inside your browser tab. The file is read from your device and the result is written back to your device.

    Do I need an account?

    No. There is no signup step, no email capture and no usage counter. Open the tool, convert the file, close the tab.

    Will there be a watermark or a page limit?

    Neither. On-device conversions produce a clean file with no branding and no cap on pages, size or number of files.