Open a compressed LAZ point cloud online
LAZ is the losslessly compressed form of LAS LiDAR point-cloud data. Decompress supported records locally with laz-perf WebAssembly and explore a sampled interactive 3D cloud without uploading the survey file.
Interactive viewer — This format is parsed and rendered in the browser.
Drop a LAZ file to open it
or click to choose — everything stays on your device
Choose file🔒 100% private — files never leave your browser
Or turn LAZ into an image — snapshot the preview, add arrows or notes, and download a PNG.
What is a LAZ file?
LAZ is the losslessly compressed form of LAS LiDAR point-cloud data. Decompress supported records locally with laz-perf WebAssembly and explore a sampled interactive 3D cloud without uploading the survey file. The .LAZ extension identifies a Compressed LASer point cloud file, which is served with the application/vnd.laszip media type. You can open it here instantly — drop the file into the box above and it renders in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
LAZ preserves LAS point records while reducing storage and transfer size, so it is common in aerial surveys, mobile mapping, forestry, construction and terrain work. The laz-perf engine decompresses the chosen file in browser memory; supported coordinates and colour fields are then rendered as an interactive point cloud.
Besides this free online viewer, you can open Compressed LiDAR (LAZ) files in desktop apps such as CloudCompare, QGIS, PDAL — but here all you need is a web browser.
Quick facts
| Format | Compressed LiDAR (LAZ) — Compressed LASer point cloud |
|---|---|
| File extensions | .laz |
| MIME type | application/vnd.laszip |
| Developer | LASzip |
| Category | 3D, CAD & GIS |
| Also opens in | CloudCompare, QGIS, PDAL |
Common uses
- Confirm that a delivered LAZ contains visible survey points
- Check coverage, orientation and colour availability
- Preview a field dataset before loading it into QGIS, PDAL or CloudCompare
What this browser preview can and cannot show
Very large clouds may be sampled to protect browser memory and responsiveness. Coordinate reference systems, classifications, waveform data, extra bytes and variable point formats are not all visualised. The preview is not suitable for survey measurement or compliance decisions.
Tips for a reliable preview
- Use a desktop point-cloud tool for full-resolution analysis
- Keep CRS and survey metadata with the LAZ
- Close memory-heavy tabs before opening very large files
How to open a LAZ file online
- Click Choose file above, or drag your LAZ file onto the box.
- The right viewer loads automatically and renders your file.
- Read, scroll or page through it. To open a different file, choose Open another file.
100% private — files never leave your browser.
Libraries used to render LAZ in the browser
This viewer is built entirely with open-source JavaScript that runs in your browser:
Frequently asked questions
What is a .LAZ file?
A .LAZ file is a Compressed LASer point cloud, identified by the application/vnd.laszip media type. You can open and read it instantly in the viewer above without installing anything.
What programs open LAZ files?
On the desktop, LAZ files typically open in CloudCompare, QGIS, PDAL. Online, this page opens them in any modern browser — nothing to download.
How do I convert LAZ to an image?
Use Snapshot to capture the LAZ preview, optionally add arrows, text or highlights, then download it as a PNG image.
Must I convert LAZ to LAS first?
No. Supported LAZ files are decompressed locally by laz-perf WebAssembly. The source remains on your device.
Is it safe to open my LAZ file here?
Yes. The file is read and rendered entirely by JavaScript inside your own browser. It is never uploaded to a server, so nothing leaves your device.
Do I need to install anything to view a LAZ file?
No. There is nothing to install and no account to create. Open the page, drop your file, and it displays instantly.
Does it work on my phone or iPad?
Yes. The viewer is fully responsive and works in modern mobile and tablet browsers such as Safari and Chrome.
Is there a file size limit?
There is no hard limit, but very large files depend on your device’s memory. Big files are processed in the background so the page stays responsive.