Supported raster dataset file formats
Release 9.3 Last modified November 12, 2009	Print all topics in : "Supported raster data"

Note: This topic was updated for 9.3.1.

The geodatabase is the native data model in ArcGIS for storing geographic information, including raster datasets and raster catalogs; however, there are many file formats you can work with that are maintained outside a geodatabase. The following table gives a description of the supported raster formats and their extensions and identifies if they are read-only or if they can also be written by ArcGIS.

Learn how to add file extensions to ArcCatalog or search all files.
Learn more about the technical specifications for raster formats.

Format	Description	Extensions	Read/Write
ARC Digitized Raster Graphics (ADRG)	Distributed on CD-ROM by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). ADRG is geographically referenced using the equal arc-second raster chart/map (ARC) system in which the globe is divided into 18 latitudinal bands or zones. The data consists of raster images and other graphics generated by scanning source documents.	Multiple files Data file—extension *.img or *.ovr Legend file—extension *.lgg	Read-only
ArcSDE raster	Raster data stored within an ArcSDE database.	Stored in SDE database	Read and write
ASCII Grid	The ArcInfo ASCII Grid format is an ArcInfo Grid exchange file.	Single file—extension *.asc	Read-only
Band interleaved by line (BIL), band interleaved by pixel (BIP), band sequential (BSQ)	This format provides a method for reading and displaying decompressed, BIL, BIP, and BSQ image data. By creating an ASCII description file that describes the layout of the image data, black-and-white, grayscale, pseudo color, and multiband image data can be displayed without translation into a proprietary format.	Multiple files Data file—extension *.bil, *.bip, or *.bsq Header file—extension *.hdr Color map file—extension *.clr Statistics file—extension *.stx	Read-only (Write—developer only)
Bitmap (BMP), device-independent bitmap (DIB) format, or Microsoft Windows bitmap	BMP files are Windows bitmap images. They are usually used to store pictures or clip art that can be moved between different applications on Windows platforms.	Single file—extension *.bmp World file—extension *.bpw	Read and write
BSB	This is a compressed raster format used in the distribution of raster nautical charts by MapTech and NOAA.	Multiple files—extensions *.bsb, *.cap, and *.kap	Read-only
Compressed ARC Digitized Raster Graphics (CADRG)	Distributed on CD-ROM by NGA. CADRG is geographically referenced using the ARC system in which the globe is divided into 18 latitudinal bands, or zones. The data consists of raster images and other graphics generated by scanning source documents. CADRG achieves a nominal compression ratio of 55:1.	Single file—no standard file extension Choose to search all files or add your file extensions to ArcCatalog.	Read-only
Controlled Image Base (CIB)	Panchromatic (grayscale) images that have been georeferenced and corrected for distortion due to topographic relief distributed by NGA. Thus, they are similar to digital orthophoto quads and have similar applications such as serving as a base or backdrop for other data or as a simple map.	Single file—no standard file extension Choose to search all files or add your file extensions to ArcCatalog.	Read-only
Digital Geographic Information Exchange Standard (DIGEST) Arc Standard Raster Product (ASRP), UTM/UPS Standard Raster Product (USRP)	DIGEST datasets are digital replicas of graphic products designed for seamless worldwide coverage. ASRP data is transformed into the ARC system and divides the earth's surface into latitudinal zones. USRP data is referenced to UTM or UPS coordinate systems. Both are based on the WGS 1984 datum.	Multiple files Main raster image—extension *.img General information file—extension *.gen Georeference file—extension *.ger Source file—extension *.sou Quality file—extension *.qal Transmission header file—extension *.thf	Read-only
Digital Terrain Elevation Data (DTED) Level 0, 1, and 2	A simple, regularly spaced grid of elevation points, based on 1 degree latitude and longitude extents. Created by NGA.	Single file—various file extensions *.dt0, *.dt1, *.dt2 All possible file extensions are available by default (*.dt0, *.dt1, *.dt2).	Read-only
Enhanced Compressed Wavelet (ECW)	ER Mapper's ECW format is able to compress extremely large images at high compression ratios while still providing fast data access and high visual quality.	Single file—extension *.ecw	Read-only
ENVI Header Format	When ENVI works with a raster dataset, it creates a header file containing the information the software requires. This header file can be created for multiple raster file formats.	Header file—extension *.hdr Multiple data files—extension *.raw, *.img, *.dat, *.bsq, etc.	Read-only (Write—developer only)
ER Mapper	A proprietary raster format from ER Mapper. Produced using the ER Mapper image processing software.	Multiple files Header file—extension *.ers Data file—usually same as header file without the *.ers extension but could be any and is defined in the header file	Read-only
ERDAS 7.5 GIS	Single-band thematic images produced by ERDAS 7.5 image processing software.	Multiple files Data file—extension *.GIS Color map file—extension *.trl	Read-only
ERDAS 7.5 LAN	Single- or multiband continuous images produced by the ERDAS 7.5 image processing software.	Single file—extension *.lan	Read-only
ERDAS IMAGINE	Produced using IMAGINE image processing software created by ERDAS. IMAGINE files can store both continuous and discrete, single-band and multiband data.	Single file—extension *.img If image is bigger than 2 GB—extension *.ige World file—extension *.igw	Read and write
ERDAS RAW	Provides a method for reading and displaying files that are not otherwise supported by another format but are formatted in such a way that the arrangement of the data can be described by a relatively small number of parameters. By creating an ASCII file that describes the layout of the raster data, it can be displayed without translation in a proprietary format. The format is defined in the ERDAS IMAGINE software.	Single file—extension *.raw	Read-only
ESRI Grid	A proprietary ESRI format that supports 32-bit integer and 32-bit floating-point raster grids. Grids are useful for representing geographic phenomena that vary continuously over space and for performing spatial modeling and analysis of flows, trends, and surfaces such as hydrology.	Directory color map file—extension *.clr	Read and write
ESRI Grid stack	Used to reference multiple ESRI Grids as a multiband raster dataset. A stack is stored in a directory structure similar to a grid or coverage.	Directory	Read and write
ESRI Grid stack file	Used to reference multiple ESRI Grids as a multiband raster dataset. A stack file is a simple text file that stores the path and name of each ESRI Grid contained within it on a separate line.	Single file—possible file extension *.stk	Read and write
Graphic Interchange Format (GIF)	A proprietary image format that is highly compressed and requires an LZW license from Unisys. Allows high-quality, high-resolution graphics to be displayed on a variety of graphics hardware and is intended as an exchange and display mechanism for graphic images.	Single file—extension *.gif World file—extension *.gfw	Read and write
Hierarchical Data Format (HDF) 4	A self-defining file format used for storing arrays of multidimensional data.	Single file—extension *.hdf	Read-only (Write—developer only)
IDRISI Raster Format (RST)	File format native to IDRISI.	Multiple files Raw image—extension *.rst Descriptor—extension *.rdc Color map—extension *.smp Georeference file—extension *.ref	Read-only (Write—developer only)
Intergraph raster files: CIT—Binary data; COT—Grayscale data	Intergraph's proprietary format for 16-bit imagery (CIT) and unsigned 8-bit imagery (COT).	Multiple files Binary imagery—extension *.cit Grayscale imagery—extension *.cot	Read-only
Joint Photographics Experts Group (JPEG) File Interchange Format (JFIF)	A standard compression technique for storing full-color and grayscale images. Support for JPEG compression is provided through the JFIF file format.	Single file—Possible file extensions are *.jpg, *.jpeg, *.jpc, and *.jpe. World file—extension *.jgw ArcCatalog only recognizes the .jpg file extension by default. To add .jpeg or .jpe files to ArcMap without renaming them, add those file extensions to ArcCatalog or drag those files from Windows Explorer into your map.	Read and write
JPEG 2000	A compression technique especially for maintaining the quality of large imagery. Allows for a high-compression ratio and fast access to large amounts of data at any scale.	Single file—extension *.jp2, *.j2c, *.j2k, or *.jpx	Read and write
MAP	PCRaster's raster format.	Single file—extension *.map	Read-only (Write—developer only)
Multi-resolution Seamless Image Database (MrSID)	A compression technique especially for maintaining the quality of large images. Allows for a high compression ratio and fast access to large amounts of data at any scale.	Single file—extension *.sid World file—extension *.sdw	Read-only
National Imagery Transmission Format (NITF)	A collection of standards and specifications that allow interoperability in the dissemination of imagery and its metadata among various computer systems. Developed by the NGA.		Read-only
PCIDSK	PCI Geomatics raster dataset format.	Single file—extension *.pix	Read-only (Write—developer only)
Portable Network Graphics (PNG)	Provides a well-compressed, lossless compression for raster files. It supports a large range of bit depths from monochrome to 64-bit color. Its features include indexed color images of up to 256 colors and effective 100 percent lossless images of up to 16 bits per pixel.	Single file—extension *.png	Read and write
Raster Product Format (RPF)	The underlying format of CADRG, ADRG, and CIB.	Single file—no standard file extension	Read-only
Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) (GeoTIFF tags are supported.)	Widespread use in the desktop publishing world. It serves as an interface to several scanners and graphic arts packages. TIFF supports black-and-white, grayscale, pseudo color, and true color images, all of which can be stored in a compressed or decompressed format.	Single file—possible file extensions *.tif, *.tiff, and *.tff World file—extension *.tfw ArcCatalog only recognizes the .tif file extension by default. To add .tiff or .tff files to ArcMap without renaming them, add those file extensions to ArcCatalog or drag those files from Windows Explorer into your map.	Read and write
United States Geological Survey (USGS) digital elevation model (DEM)	This format consists of a raster grid of regularly spaced elevation values derived from the USGS topographic map series. In their native format, they are written as ANSI-standard ASCII characters in fixed-block format.	Single file—extension *.dem (need to change .dat extension to .dem)	Read-only
XPixMap (XPM)	Stores color images in a format consisting of an ASCII image and a C library.	Single file—extension *.xpm	Read-only (Write—developer only)

NOTE: An A.TOC file cannot be copied and pasted since it requires a specific folder hierarchy and references to other files. To learn more, see Recommendations for using A.TOC files.

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