Convert KAP to PNG
Convert KAP to PNG online: the whole nautical chart raster decoded edge to edge, saved as a lossless PNG. Free, no sign-up.
Drop your KAP files here
Up to 50MB per file.
Conversion Settings
Files are encrypted and auto-deleted after conversion
How to Convert
- 101
Upload your KAP files
Drag and drop or select KAP files from your device. You can upload multiple files at once.
- 202
Configure Output
Choose any available PNG output options, then start the conversion.
- 303
Download PNG files
Once conversion finishes, download your files individually or as a compressed ZIP archive.
Why convert KAP to PNG?
KAP is the BSB raster nautical chart format used by hydrographic offices and marine navigation software, holding a scanned chart image with its geographic calibration. The complete chart raster stored in the file is decoded by GDAL at its stored resolution, with its colour palette applied so the chart keeps its original colours.
PNG keeps every pixel exactly as rendered, so text, thin lines and flat colours stay crisp, and transparency is preserved.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert KAP to PNG?
Drop your KAP file above and press Convert. Our servers read the chart with GDAL's BSB driver, expand its colour palette into a lossless PNG, then encode it in the format you chose. The result is saved as a lossless PNG, ready to download.
Which part of a KAP chart appears in the PNG?
The complete chart raster stored in the file, from edge to edge, at the resolution it was scanned at.
What reads the BSB data in a KAP file for the PNG?
GDAL's BSB driver, part of the open-source geospatial library used widely in mapping software. It reads the chart raster and its colour table, and the full-colour chart becomes the PNG.
How big is the PNG image from a KAP file?
The chart is rendered at its full native resolution, keeping every pixel of the scanned chart.
Why is PNG a good fit for a KAP conversion?
PNG is lossless: the image keeps every rendered pixel with no compression artefacts, which keeps small text, table lines and drawings perfectly sharp.
Is my .kap file kept private?
Your file is uploaded over an encrypted connection, converted on our servers and deleted automatically within 24 hours. We never read, share or keep your files, and no account is needed.