View and interact with 3D STL models directly in your browser. Upload your models and explore them from every angle without installing any software. No Signup Required.
Drag & drop your STL file here or click to browse
Supports STL files (binary and ASCII formats)
STL (Stereolithography) is one of the most common file formats used in 3D printing and computer-aided design (CAD). It represents 3D models as a collection of triangular facets that define the surface geometry of an object.
Key characteristics of STL files:
STL files are the standard for transferring 3D models between different software applications and for preparing models for 3D printing. Our viewer allows you to easily visualize these files directly in your browser.
The STL file format was created in 1987 by 3D Systems for their stereolithography machines, the world's first commercial 3D printers.
The format's name is derived from "STereoLithography," though some refer to it as "Standard Triangle Language" or "Standard Tessellation Language."
Despite being over 35 years old and lacking modern features like color or material information, STL remains the de facto standard in 3D printing due to its simplicity and reliability.
Interestingly, NASA has used STL files to send manufacturing instructions to the International Space Station, allowing astronauts to 3D print tools and replacement parts in orbit.
This effectively created the first off-world manufacturing capability, revolutionizing space exploration logistics.
What makes STL technically fascinating is its mathematical approach to representing 3D objects.
Each triangle in an STL file is defined by its three vertices and a normal vector that indicates which side of the triangle faces outward.
This seemingly simple structure creates a "watertight" mesh where triangles connect perfectly at their edges without gaps or overlaps—a critical requirement for 3D printing.
The binary STL format uses a clever 50-byte structure for each triangle: 12 bytes for the normal vector, 36 bytes for the three vertices (12 each), and 2 bytes for an attribute that's rarely used.
This efficient encoding allows even complex models with millions of triangles to be represented compactly, though it lacks the compression techniques found in newer formats.
Our STL Viewer allows you to upload and view 3D models in STL format directly in your browser. You can rotate, zoom, and inspect models from all angles without needing specialized software.
STL (Stereolithography) is a widely used 3D file format that describes the surface geometry of a 3D object. It's commonly used for 3D printing, rapid prototyping, and computer-aided manufacturing.
Simply upload your STL file using the upload button, and the 3D model will appear in the viewer. You can then use your mouse to rotate the model, scroll to zoom in/out, and right-click and drag to pan the view.
The viewer supports STL files up to 50MB in size. Larger files may take longer to load depending on your internet connection speed.
Yes, your 3D models are processed entirely in your browser. We never upload or store your models on our servers, ensuring complete privacy and security of your intellectual property.
The STL Viewer is designed for viewing only. It doesn't currently support exporting to other formats or downloading modified versions of the models.
The STL Viewer works best on modern browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari. Make sure your browser is updated to the latest version for optimal performance.
Yes, our viewer supports both binary and ASCII STL file formats. The viewer will automatically detect and render the appropriate format when you upload your file.