What Is a DNG File?

DNG (Digital Negative) files are RAW images used in digital photography

What to Know

  • A DNG file is an Adobe Digital Negative RAW image.
  • Open one with Photos, Able RAWer, or Photoshop.
  • Convert to JPG, PNG, PDF, etc. with those same programs or Zamzar.

This article describes what a DNG file is, how to open one on your computer, and how to convert one into a more recognizable format like JPG.

What Is a DNG File?

A file with the DNG file extension is an Adobe Digital Negative RAW image file. The format is a response to the lack of an open standard for digital camera RAW formats. Other RAW files can be converted to DNG so that a wider variety of software can use them.

The DNG file structure provides not only a way of storing an image, but also the means for preserving additional information about the photo, such as metadata and color profiles.

DNG files in Windows 11 that open with Photoshop

Images captured by some versions of the iPhone are saved in the similar Apple ProRAW format, and also uses the DNG file extension. These include the iPhone 12 Pro and later Pro models that are running iOS 14.3 or newer.

Other Uses of the DNG File Extension

Some DNG files are virtual dongle images, or digital copies of physical dongles that some software might require to activate the program. A physical dongle acts as a key that holds software license information, so a virtual dongle is used for the same purpose, but with dongle emulators.

How to Open a DNG File

DNG files can be opened with several image viewers, including the built-in Photos app in Windows and macOS, Photopea, and Able RAWer. While not free, Photoshop, Lightroom, and Canvas X also support the format. The Adobe Photoshop Express app for Android works, too; the same one is available for iOS.

You can open a virtual dongle image with the USB Dongle Backup and Recovery program from Soft-Key Solutions.

How to Convert a DNG File

If you're already using a program that can open a DNG file, then you can probably also use it to convert it. Photoshop supports saving this format to a number of other file types like RAW, MPO, PXR, and PSD.

For example, if you open the DNG file in Photoshop, go to File > Save As to pick a different format to save it to.

Another option is to use a free file converter. One we often recommend is Zamzar, an online converter that can save to JPG, TIFF, BMP, GIF, PNG, TGA, etc., including PDF.

Some of those programs listed above can also compress the file if you want to keep the format, but without the larger file size. Lightroom is one example: Right-click the file and go to Export > Export, choose DNG as the image format, pick Medium for the JPEG Preview setting, enable Use Lossy Compression, and resize the image as necessary.

Adobe DNG Converter is a free converter from Adobe that does the opposite—it converts other RAW image files (e.g., NEF or CR2) to the DNG format. You can use this program on Windows and macOS even if you're not running an Adobe product.

Still Can't Open It?

At this point, if after trying the above tools, your file isn't opening correctly, take another look at the file extension. Many of them look very similar, even though the formats themselves aren't at all related. In this case, a DNG opener won't open your file.

For example, DGN is the extension used for MicroStation drawing files, and DNH is a plain text script used by the game Touhou Danmakufu.

FAQ
  • How do you use the Adobe DNG Converter?

    Download and open the application for your operating system > select the image folder to convert > and choose the destination for the converted DNG files. If necessary, change the compatibility preferences from Preferences > Change Preferences. Click OK to save your preferences and Convert to begin the conversion.

  • Is the DNG file format better than RAW?

    DNG files offer more flexibility as open-source RAW files that many programs can open and convert. DNG files are also often smaller than RAW files. RAW images come with extensive information, but they're also in proprietary file formats that sometimes work best (or exclusively) with the camera manufacturer's processing software.

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