How to view a .STL file online
Three steps, no software to install.
Choose your file
Drag your .STL file onto the box above. If it comes with companion files like .mtl, .bin or textures, drop them together with it.
It opens right away
Your .STL file is opened and shown in 3D.
Inspect and measure
Rotate, switch views, toggle wireframe and check size, area and volume before printing.
What is a .STL file?
Meshes, scenes and what "watertight" means for 3D printing.
An STL file is a 3D model that describes a shape as a mesh of triangles. To view it, use Microsoft 3D Viewer (Windows) or Quick Look (macOS). To 3D-print it, open it in a slicer such as Ultimaker Cura or PrusaSlicer, which converts it to G-code for your printer. STL stores surface geometry only, with no units, color, or edit history.
Programs that open .STL files
| Full name | Stereolithography / Standard Tessellation Language file |
|---|---|
| Developer | 3D Systems (Chuck Hull / Albert Consulting Group, 1987) |
| First released | 1987 (created by 3D Systems for stereolithography 3D printing) |
| Category | 3D & CAD |
| MIME type | model/stl |
Related viewers
Other free tools for engineering and visual files.
Is my .STL file uploaded to your server?
No. Your .STL file is rendered with WebGL.
Why is my OBJ model grey or missing textures?
OBJ keeps materials in a separate .mtl file and textures as images. Select or drop all of them together with the .obj and the viewer will link them up automatically.
How accurate are the volume and weight?
For watertight meshes the volume is exact for the triangles in the file. The weight assumes PLA at 1.24 g/cm³ and 100% infill, so a sliced print with lower infill will weigh less.
My model looks lying on its side. What now?
CAD and 3D-printing files usually treat Z as "up", while games and glTF use Y. Switch Up: Y / Z in the toolbar.
Can I open STEP or IGES files here?
Those are CAD formats that store exact surfaces rather than triangles. Open them in our CAD Viewer, which converts them to a mesh.
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