HDR Filter
Runs in your browserConvert SDR photos and videos to HDR with real-time WebGL2 processing. Export as tone-mapped JPG, OpenEXR float16 for pro workflows, or HDR video — all in your browser.
What is HDR and Why Convert SDR to HDR?
High Dynamic Range (HDR) content displays a wider range of brightness levels than standard SDR media. Modern devices — iPhone 12 and later, M1+ Macs, Samsung Galaxy S21+, and most 2022+ Android phones — have HDR-capable screens that can show brighter highlights, deeper shadows, and more vivid colors. Converting your SDR photos and videos to HDR unlocks this extra visual range, making images pop on capable displays.
Use Cases: Color Grading, Social Posts, Archival
Content creators use SDR→HDR conversion for Instagram and TikTok posts that stand out with richer colors and brighter highlights. Professional colorists start with HDR source material for maximum flexibility in grading. Archivists preserve photos in OpenEXR format to retain the full dynamic range for future displays that may exceed today's brightness capabilities.
Export Formats: EXR vs AVIF vs HDR Video
OpenEXR (.exr) stores each pixel as a 16-bit float with no compression, making it ideal for professional editing in Nuke, DaVinci Resolve, or Photoshop. AVIF is a modern image format that supports HDR metadata and is viewable directly in browsers and iOS Photos. HDR Video (WebM) processes each frame through the HDR pipeline and records the result — perfect for sharing on social media with an enhanced look.
How the HDR Filter Works
The tool runs a WebGL2 fragment shader that converts sRGB pixels to linear light, computes Rec.2020 luminance, stretches highlights above a configurable threshold, applies a Reinhard soft-knee tone curve for natural rolloff, boosts saturation, and encodes using the SMPTE ST.2084 Perceptual Quantizer (PQ) transfer function. Everything happens on your GPU in real time — no server processing, no uploads, no waiting.
How It Works
Upload Image or Video
Drop a JPG, PNG, or MP4 file. Everything stays on your device — nothing is uploaded.
Adjust HDR Settings
Fine-tune gain, threshold, saturation, and peak luminance. Use presets for quick results.
Export
Download tone-mapped JPG, OpenEXR for pro editing, AVIF, or HDR video (WebM).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SDR to HDR conversion?
SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) images have a limited brightness range. This tool expands that range using highlight stretching and PQ encoding, creating HDR content that looks more vibrant on HDR-capable displays like iPhone 12+, M1+ Macs, and modern Android phones.
What is the OpenEXR export for?
OpenEXR (.exr) is the industry-standard HDR format used by VFX studios, colorists, and photographers. It stores full float16 pixel data — perfect for Nuke, DaVinci Resolve, Photoshop, and other professional tools.
Will the HDR effect show on my screen?
The preview shows a tone-mapped approximation on any display. For true HDR, export as OpenEXR and view on an HDR monitor. The AVIF export also carries HDR metadata on supported browsers.
What video formats are supported?
Input: MP4, WebM, MOV. Output: WebM (VP9) which plays in all modern browsers. Each frame is processed through the HDR pipeline in real time.
Is there a file size limit?
No server limit — everything runs locally in your browser. Very large images or long videos may be slower on older devices.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes. WebGL2 is supported on modern iOS and Android browsers. However, video export is CPU-intensive and works best on desktop.
What do the presets do?
Subtle (gentle highlight lift), Standard (balanced HDR look), Punchy (strong contrast and saturation), and Cinematic (warm, film-grade HDR with extra saturation).
Any watermarks or account needed?
No watermarks, no account, no limits. Free forever.
Built With Open Source
GPU-accelerated shader pipeline for real-time SDR→HDR conversion with PQ transfer function encoding
Industry-standard perceptual quantizer transfer function for HDR content mastered up to 10,000 nits
VFX industry standard for high-dynamic-range images — float16 precision per channel
Records the HDR-processed video stream directly in the browser — no server round-trip