LinuxWhat is the PSP file format?
.psp is a graphics file format used for storing raster images. The format can also be used for creating layers based on vector images, and fully supports raster, vector, and text layers in a single file. .psp was the default format in which PaintShop Pro saved created projects; starting with PaintShop Pro 8 (2003), the application switched its native extension to .pspimage, though the two share the same underlying block structure. In addition to image data stored as layers, .psp files store color palette information and layer settings, as well as masks and a flattened composite preview.
PaintShop Pro
PaintShop Pro is sometimes called a "cheaper Photoshop". The program is often called simply PSP after the file format it uses. PaintShop Pro, now developed and maintained by Corel (which acquired original developer Jasc Software in 2004), is not as feature-rich as Adobe Photoshop and is intended as more of an accessible consumer image editor than an advanced professional authoring tool. The .psp format uses a proprietary binary container with per-layer compression; most third-party tools open only the flattened composite, so exporting to .png or .psd is recommended for broader interchange.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWPSP is a passive image format with no scripting, so the file itself poses little risk. The main caution is supply-chain: download XnView, IrfanView, or PaintShop Pro from their official sites - searches for 'free PSP image viewer' surface bundled-adware installers and fake 'universal' viewers. Also don't confuse a Corel .psp with a Sony PSP console file before running anything.
Format details
in a nutshellFULL NAMEPaintShop Pro Imageaka Paint Shop Pro Image, Corel PaintShop Pro image
DEVELOPERCorel (originally Jasc Software)since Mid-1990s (Jasc Paint Shop Pro); .psp native image format
CATEGORYRaster Image Files
MIME TYPEimage/vnd.corel-paintshop-pro
TYPELayered raster image (binary), with vector and text layers
This extension is also used by…
- Sony PlayStation Portable system/game file - Some PSP console firmware, save and homebrew files use the .psp extension - unrelated to the Corel image format.
- Microsoft Windows Connect Now / WPS profile - Windows occasionally used .psp for wireless provisioning settings, not an image.
MAGIC BYTES · FILE SIGNATURE
OFFSET
000102030405060708090a0b0c0d
HEX
7E424B000A1A0000000000000300
ASCII
~BK···········
The file begins with the 32-byte signature "Paint Shop Pro Image File\n\x1a" followed by a version block. The leading bytes 7E 42 4B 00 (~BK) precede the readable "Paint Shop Pro Image File" ASCII string. Newer files carry the .pspimage extension but share the same signature lineage.
Programs that open PSP files
Windows4 apps
IrfanView
Free With its plug-in pack installed, open the PSP to view and export it (free for personal use). 
Corel PaintShop Pro
Paid File > Open the .psp to edit it with all layers, masks, and vector text intact. The native, full-fidelity editor. 
XnView MP
Free Open the .psp/.pspimage to view it and batch-convert to PNG/JPG/TIFF (free for personal use; reads the flattened image). 
macOS1 app
XnView MP
Free Open the PSP to view and convert it on macOS (no native PaintShop Pro for Mac exists). 
Technical details
deep spec| Format type | Layered raster image (binary); supports raster, vector, adjustment, and text layers in a single file |
| Developer | Corel Corporation (originally Jasc Software; acquired 2004) |
| MIME type | image/vnd.corel-paintshop-pro (also image/x-paintshoppro) |
| Byte order | Little-endian |
| Container structure | Proprietary tagged-block format (RIFF-like, not Microsoft RIFF); typed blocks chain sequentially after the signature header |
| Compression | Per-layer: none, RLE, or LZ77 - chosen at save time; each layer compressed independently |
| Color depth | 1, 4, 8, or 24 bits per pixel; 48-bit (16 bits per channel) HDR supported in modern PaintShop Pro |
| Maximum dimensions | Up to 30,000 × 30,000 pixels in recent PaintShop Pro versions |
| File signature | 32-byte header beginning with hex 7E 42 4B 00 (~BK) followed by the ASCII string "Paint Shop Pro Image File" at offset 0 |
| Typical file size | 500 KB - 200 MB, depending on layer count, canvas size, and bit depth |
| Current native extension | .pspimage (introduced with PaintShop Pro 8, 2003); .psp used in earlier versions 3-7 |
| Format versioning | Format version tracks the application: v3-v7 use .psp; v8+ use .pspimage; each version adds new block types |
| Third-party compatibility | Most tools (XnView MP, IrfanView with plug-in, ACDSee) read the flattened composite only; full layer editing requires Corel PaintShop Pro |
| Platform | Windows only; PaintShop Pro has no native macOS or Linux release |
| Released | Mid-1990s (Jasc Paint Shop Pro); .psp native image format |
| Latest version | .pspimage (Paint Shop Pro 8+, 2003 onward); older releases used .psp |
| Specification | www.paintshoppro.com |
PSP conversions
Possible
.PSP .JPGGUIDE
Yes, PSP files convert to JPG without trouble -- the fastest way is to open the file in XnView MP (free) and…
How to convert
.PSP .PNGGUIDE
Yes, PSP files convert to PNG without difficulty - the quickest free route is XnView MP (open the file, File…
How to convert
.PSP .PDFGUIDE
Yes - open the .psp in Corel PaintShop Pro or XnView MP and print or export to PDF; layers are flattened in…
How to convert
.PSP .PSPIMAGEGUIDE
Open the .psp file in Corel PaintShop Pro and use Save As to save it as .pspimage - it takes under a minute…
How to convert
.PSP .PSDGUIDE
Yes, you can convert PSP to PSD - open the file in Corel PaintShop Pro and use Save As to export it as a PSD.
How to convert
Not possible
Community Q&A
asked by usersFrequently asked questions
How do I open a PSP file without PaintShop Pro?
Use XnView MP or IrfanView (free) to view and convert it - they read the flattened image. GIMP opens many PSP files too. For full layer editing you still need Corel PaintShop Pro.
What's the difference between .psp and .pspimage?
.psp is the older extension (Paint Shop Pro 3-7); .pspimage replaced it in version 8 (2003). They're the same family - modern PaintShop Pro opens both and saves as .pspimage.
Is a .psp file a PlayStation Portable file?
Usually not. The dominant .psp is a Corel/Jasc Paint Shop Pro image. Sony PSP console files also use .psp, but they're unrelated - check the source of the file.
How do I convert a PSP image to JPG or PNG?
Open it in XnView MP, IrfanView, or PaintShop Pro and use Save As / Export to JPG or PNG. XnView can batch-convert a whole folder at once.
Can Photoshop open a PSP file?
Not directly. Photoshop doesn't read PaintShop Pro images. Convert in PaintShop Pro to PSD (to keep layers) or to PNG/TIFF first, then open that in Photoshop.
Does opening a PSP file lose my layers?
In PaintShop Pro, no - layers, masks, and vector text are preserved. In other apps (XnView, GIMP) you usually get a flattened image, so keep the original .psp if you need the layers.
References
1Library of Congress - Paint Shop Pro image format notewww.loc.gov
2Corel PaintShop Pro - official product pagewww.paintshoppro.com
