Supported raster dataset file formats

In ArcGIS, there are two ways to work with raster data; as a raster dataset and as a raster type. A raster dataset defines how pixels are stored, such as the number of rows and columns, number of bands, actual pixel values, and other raster format-specific parameters. The raster type is specific to particular products, such as satellite sensors or commercial data formats that go beyond a file format. The raster type identifies metadata, such as georeferencing, acquisition date, and sensor type, along with a raster format.

In most cases you work with a raster dataset, adding it to the display, performing geoprocessing, and so on. However, when you add data to a mosaic dataset you identify whether it's added as a raster dataset or using a specific raster type. To determine if your data is supported as a raster type or raster dataset when using the Add Rasters to Mosaic Dataset tool with the mosaic dataset, see List of raster dataset and type support.

Learn about the raster type

The geodatabase is the native data model in ArcGIS for storing geographic information, including raster datasets, mosaic 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 (raster datasets) and their extensions and identifies if they are read-only or if they can also be written by ArcGIS.

Note:

You can specify which products you want ArcGIS to recognize (Customize > ArcMap Options > Raster > File Formats); turning off products you don't use can improve performance. It also lets you filter data at data-load time. For more information, see Displaying specific 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 ArcSDE database	Read and write
ASCII Grid	The ArcInfo ASCII Grid format is an ArcInfo Grid exchange file.	Single file—extension *.asc	Read-only (Write—requires Spatial Analyst extension)
Bathymetric Attributed Grid (BAG)	The Bathymetric Attributed Grid is a non-proprietary file format for storing bathymetric data.	Single file—extension *.bag	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 and write
Binary Terrain (BT)	The Binary Terrain format was created by the Virtual Terrain Project (VTP) to store elevation data in a more flexible file format. The BT format is flexible in terms of file size and spatial reference system.	Single file—extension *.bt Projection file—extension *.prj	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) / Enhanced Compressed ARC Raster Graphics (ECRG)	Distributed by the NGA. CADRG/ECRG 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. ECRG uses JPEG 2000 compression using a compression ratio of 20:1	File extension is based on specific product. You can specify which products you want ArcGIS to recognize (Customize > ArcMap Options > Raster > File Formats).	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.	File extension is based on specific product. You can specify which products you want ArcGIS to recognize (Customize > ArcMap Options > Raster > File Formats).	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 WGS84 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 Image Map (DIMAP)	The DIMAP format is an open format in the public domain; however, its primary purpose was for the distribution of data from the SPOT satellite. The format is composed of a GeoTIFF file and a metadata file.	Directory	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 Write using the Raster To DTED tool
Enhanced Compressed Wavelet (ECW)	ERDAS's (ER Mapper's) ECW is a propriatary format. It is a wavelet-based, lossy compression, similar to JPEG 2000. This format can be used in ArcGIS Desktop, but when serving you require the ECW for ArcGIS Server extension from ERDAS.	Single file—extension *.ecw	Read-only
EOSAT FAST	The Earth Observation Satellite (EOSAT) FAST format support consists of the following: FAST-L7A (Landsat TM) and FAST Rev. C. (IRS).	Single file—extension *.fst	Read-only
ENVI Header Format	When ENVI works with a raster dataset it create 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 and write (.dat—via UI) (.bsq, .img, and .raw—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
Floating point raster file	A floating-point file is a binary file of floating-point values that represent raster data.	Single file—extension *.flt	Read-only (Write—Only via Raster To Float tool, or developer code)
GDAL Virtual Format (VRT)	This is a file format created by the Geospatial Data Abstraction Library (GDAL). It allows a virtual dataset to be derived from other datasets that GDAL can read.	Single file—extension *.vrt	Read-only (Write—developer only)
Graphic Interchange Format (GIF)	A bitmap image format generally used for small images.	Single file—extension *.gif World file—extension *.gfw	Read and write
GRIB	The gridded binary format is used for the storage, transmission, and manipulation of meteorological archived data and forecast data. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is responsible for the design and maintenance of this format standard.	Single file—extension *.grb	Read-only
Golden Software Grid (.grd)	There are 3 types of Golden Software Grids that are supported: Golden Software ASCII GRID (GSAG), Golden Software Binary Grid (GSBG), and Golden Software Surfer 7 Binary Grid (GS7BG).	Single file—extension *.grd	Read-only (Write—developer only for GSAG and GSBG)
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)
Hierarchical Data Format (HDF) 5	The next generation standard for HDF.	Single file—extension *.h5 or *.hdf5	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
Integrated Software for Imagers and Spectrometers (ISIS)	ISIS Cube format as created by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) for the mapping of planetary imagery. Versions 2 and 3 are supported.	Single file—extension *.cub	Read-only
Japanese Aerospace eXploration Agency (JAXA) PALSAR	This format was created by the Japanese Aerospace eXploration Agency (JAXA) to store data from processed PALSAR data. Level 1.1 and Level 1.5 are supported.	Single file—extension *1.5GUD, or *1.1__A.	Read-only
Joint Photographic 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—extension *.jpg, *.jpeg, *.jpc, or *.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
Magellan Mapsend BLX/XLB format	Magellan's BLX/XLB file format is primarily used for storing topographic data. The tile size for these files must be a multiple of 128 pixels by 128 pixels. The projection for these files is WGS84. When the file is ordered using littleendian, the file extension is BLX. If bigendian is used, the file extension is XLB format.	Single file—extension *.blx or *.xlb	Read-only (Write—developer only)
MAP	PCRaster's raster format.	Single file—extension *.map	Read-only (Write—developer only)
Map service cache	A map cache created by ArcGIS Server can be viewed as a single raster dataset. You cannot build pyramids or calculate statistics. It should not be used for any analysis or processing.	Directory	Read-only (in Desktop); write using ArcGIS Server
Multi-resolution Seamless Image Database (MrSID)	A proprietary 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. The MrSID Encoder is developed and supported by LizardTech, Inc.	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.	Single file—extension *.ntf	Read-only
National Land Archive Production System (NLAPS) Data Format	The NLAPS Data Format (NDF) is one of the formats used by the USGS to distribute their MSS and TM data.	Multiple files Main File (Header)—extension *.H1, *.H2, or *.HD Image data—extension *.I1, *.I2, etc.	Read-only
PCIDSK	PCI Geomatics raster dataset format.	Single file—extension *.pix	Read-only (Write—developer only)
Planetary Data System (PDS)	The Planetary Data System (PDS) is managed by NASA to archive and distribute data from its planetary missions. PDS version 3 is supported.	Single file—possible extensions *.img and *.lbl	Read-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
RADARSAT-2	RADARSAT-2 satellite produces imagery using the C-band SAR and X-band frequencies.	Directory	Read-only
Raster Product Format (RPF)	The underlying format of CADRG and CIB.	Single file—no standard file extension	Read-only
Sandia Synthetic Aperture Radar (GFF)	Sandia National Laboratories created a complex image format to accommodate the data from its synthetic aperture radar.	Single file—extension *.gff	Read-only
Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM)	The HGT format is used to store elevation data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). SRTM-3 and SRTM-1 v2 files can be displayed.	Single file—extension *.hgt	Read-only (Write—developer only)
Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS) digital elevation model (DEM)	The Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS) was created by the USGS. The purpose of this format was to transfer digital geospatial data between various computer systems in a compatible format that would not lose any information.	Multiple files—extension *.ddf The actual elevation file that ArcGIS reads is named *CATD.DDF.	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. BigTIFF is supported.	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
Terragen terrain	The Terragen Terrain file was created by Planetside Software. It stores elevation data.	Single file—possible file extensions *.ter, *.terrain	Read-only (Write—developer only)
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)

Supported raster dataset formats

Tip:

TIFF is recommended for most applications.

Dive-in:

Most raster formats are supported using the Geospatial Data Abstraction Library (GDAL). For more details on specific formats, see www.gdal.org.

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.