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DEM Converter
DEM files usually open only in GIS software. reaConverter reads them directly and converts whole folders into formats colleagues and clients can use.
How to Convert .dem Files in Bulk
1. Install reaConverter
2. Select DEM Files
3. Start Conversion
Step by step
See It in Action
For quick and effortless DEM file handling on your PC, reaConverter offers powerful conversion tools with batch processing. Best of all, it works entirely offline — ensuring your sensitive data never leaves your computer.
GIS Toolkit
Do more with your GIS data
Need DEM data as something anyone can open? reaConverter renders imagery and elevation grids into standard images and documents without QGIS or ArcGIS, and works through whole folders in one pass.
- Render imagery, elevation grids and scanned charts to TIFF, PNG, JPG or PDF
- Resize, crop and set DPI on the output in the same run
- Bring tiles, scenes and grids from many sources into one consistent format
- Convert incoming survey and field data automatically with Watch Folders
- Script GIS conversions from the command line for pipelines and scheduled jobs
- Keep cadastral, utility and client data on your PC: nothing is uploaded
User reviews
From those who tried it
Average User Rating:Last updated on July 28, 2026
Questions & Answers
DEM files: Frequently Asked Questions
What are DEM files?
DEM (USGS ASCII DEM and CDED) is a fixed-record ASCII format for gridded terrain heights, used for the USGS national elevation series and the Canadian Digital Elevation Data product of Natural Resources Canada. A 1024-byte Type A header record carries the quadrangle name, DEM level code, planimetric reference system (geographic, UTM, or State Plane), zone, projection parameters, horizontal and vertical units, the four corner coordinates, minimum and maximum elevations, rotation angle, accuracy code, X, Y, and Z spatial resolution, and the number of profiles. Each Type B record then holds one south-to-north profile of integer elevations, with the profiles ordered from west to east, and an optional Type C record stores accuracy statistics. Profiles in UTM quadrangles can differ in length and start at different northings, so the grid is not always rectangular, and a special void value, commonly -32767, marks missing data. Conversion to graphics requires transposing the column-wise profiles into row-major order, padding shorter profiles, multiplying values by the Z resolution, converting feet to meters if needed, and masking voids. The surface is then rendered as an 8-bit or 16-bit grayscale heightmap, a hypsometric color ramp, or shaded relief in PNG, JPEG, or TIFF, while GeoTIFF retains elevations and georeferencing. Supported by Global Mapper, QGIS, ArcGIS, and Surfer.
Can reaConverter open DEM files?
reaConverter fully supports the DEM file format – open, edit, and export DEM files to any other popular file format with ease.
Do I need QGIS or ArcGIS to convert DEM files?
No. reaConverter reads DEM files on its own, so the conversion needs no GIS installation and no licence. It handles whole folders at once, which suits survey archives, tile sets and data deliveries that have to reach people working in other software.
How do I change DEM to another format?
reaConverter is a user-friendly tool for converting DEM files. Once installed on your computer, it allows you to convert all your .dem files at once with just a few clicks. You can even convert dem images directly from Windows Explorer using the right-click menu — fast and convenient.
Why choose offline conversion with reaConverter?
Keep your sensitive data 100% private with offline processing that never exposes files to cloud risks. Our software meets strict compliance standards (GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA) while handling confidential documents for legal, healthcare and financial sectors.
Can I convert DEM online?
If you only want to convert a few DEM files, you are welcome to try our free online DEM converter.
How can I turn DEM files on my computer to another format?
The best way to convert DEM files on your PC is to get a quality piece of software, such as reaConverter. This software is extremely efficient in managing a wide range of batch files conversions, including conversion from DEM.
How can I automate DEM files conversion?
reaConverter supports all the essential automation features, such as right-click сonversion and Watch Folders, for the most efficient automated file conversion in any software of its kind.
Can I convert DEM files using scripts or the command-line interface?
reaConverter provides full access to all its features from the Windows command-line shell, including the command-line dem converter.
What else can I do with reaConverter?
Trace images to vectorChange bit depthConvert DICOM imagesCrop imagesConvert Gerber images
What formats can I convert a DEM file to?
Discover More
Beyond DEM conversion
Convert .dem files in batches of any size, with editing and processing applied along the way. The same tool also handles 800+ other formats, including CAD, medical imaging, and GIS.
