Why won't some PSDs open?

This page reads the layers, so a PSD saved with «Maximize Compatibility» switched off opens just fine. It only fails when the file has no layers and an empty composite preview — and then it tells you why, rather than handing you a blank image to puzzle over. The fix is to ask for a re-save with «Maximize Compatibility» ticked, or for a version with the layers flattened.

Can I see the text inside the layers?

You can see what the text looks like — text layers show the pixels stored in the PSD. To copy the copy or fix a typo, double-click that text layer right here and it turns into an editable text box (a fallback font is used if you don't have the original); a text layer inside a layer group can't be converted yet — move it out of the group first, then double-click.

How is this different from «PSD to PNG»?

The goal differs. Converting exists to produce a new file — to send, to attach, to drop into a document; that page ends at a download button. This page ends with you understanding the file and closing the tab, producing nothing. If it turns out you do need an image, go there afterwards; the two don't compete.

How large a file can it handle?

There's no limit we impose — memory is what stops you. A few hundred megabytes and a hundred layers is usually fine on a computer; on a phone it may crawl, or the tab may be reclaimed by the system. If a file genuinely won't open, asking for a flattened copy beats waiting it out here.

PSD viewer: open one without Photoshop, layer names and all

Someone sent you a .psd and you just want to know what's in it. That's all this page does — no editing, no export, no account.

or start a blank document

When a .psd lands in your inbox, the usual question isn't «how do I edit this» but «what is this, exactly» — is it the right version, are the layers tidy, is the canvas the size you asked for. Installing Photoshop for that is absurd, and uploading the file somewhere to get a preview back means it now sits on someone else's server. This page reduces the whole thing to one step: open it, look, close it.

While you're signed out, the file never leaves your browser — parsing is plain JavaScript running on your machine, and you can check that yourself: open the Network panel in developer tools, drop the file in, and no request carrying its contents ever appears. Once you sign in, the editor saves the file automatically to your cloud projects (so you can pick it up on another device); for confidential artwork, sign out before you open it.

Key features

The composite and the layer list, together

Not just a flat preview. Once it opens, every layer's name, nesting and visibility is listed in the layers panel — which is exactly what you need to judge whether the file was organised, and whether the layer you're after is even in there.

Missing fonts don't spoil it

This is the real advantage of looking over editing: when the file opens, text layers show the pixels stored in the PSD, so whether you own the font makes no difference. Only when you double-click a text layer to turn it into editable text and start changing it does a missing font become a problem.

Works on a phone

Parsing runs in the browser, and a phone browser can do it too. Look at the file on the way somewhere and reply before you get back to a desk. Large files are slower on a phone — that's memory, not a missing feature.

What comes after looking

There usually is a next step. If you need an image you can send on, go to PSD to PNG; if you do want to change something, just stay in the editor — the file is already open, no need to drop it again.

How to use

1
Drop the .psd into the box above

Clicking to pick a file works, so does Ctrl+V. .psb (the large-document format) opens too.
2
Look at the composite

What you see is rebuilt from the layers: every visible layer, stacked. For an image that matches Photoshop pixel for pixel, use PSD to PNG — it reads the composite stored in the PSD.
3
Go through the layers panel

Each layer's name and visibility is listed on the right. Click an eye to hide one and see what sits underneath.
4
Close it — the original is untouched

The .psd on your desktop isn't changed by a single byte. The editor keeps an automatic draft in this browser (so an accidental close can be recovered), and when you're signed in it's also saved to your cloud projects. Exporting is a separate thing you do only when you actually want a new file.

FAQ

Why won't some PSDs open?: This page reads the layers, so a PSD saved with «Maximize Compatibility» switched off opens just fine. It only fails when the file has no layers and an empty composite preview — and then it tells you why, rather than handing you a blank image to puzzle over. The fix is to ask for a re-save with «Maximize Compatibility» ticked, or for a version with the layers flattened.
Can I see the text inside the layers?: You can see what the text looks like — text layers show the pixels stored in the PSD. To copy the copy or fix a typo, double-click that text layer right here and it turns into an editable text box (a fallback font is used if you don't have the original); a text layer inside a layer group can't be converted yet — move it out of the group first, then double-click.
How is this different from «PSD to PNG»?: The goal differs. Converting exists to produce a new file — to send, to attach, to drop into a document; that page ends at a download button. This page ends with you understanding the file and closing the tab, producing nothing. If it turns out you do need an image, go there afterwards; the two don't compete.
How large a file can it handle?: There's no limit we impose — memory is what stops you. A few hundred megabytes and a hundred layers is usually fine on a computer; on a phone it may crawl, or the tab may be reclaimed by the system. If a file genuinely won't open, asking for a flattened copy beats waiting it out here.

Try PSD viewer: open one without Photoshop, layer names and all now

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