How to use
- 1
Upload a model to glTF Viewer
Drop a glTF or GLB file into glTF Viewer, or click to select.
- 2
Explore every angle
Rotate, zoom, pan, and play animations.
- 3
Inspect & validate
See model details and check for issues.
Supported formats
- External BIN & texture resources
- Draco, Meshopt & KTX2
- Animations, skins & morph targets
- PBR materials & textures
The glTF Viewer loads extensions supported by its loader.
glTF vs GLB
| Feature | glTF (.gltf) | GLB (.glb) |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | JSON scene description | Binary container |
| Resources | Often separate files | Usually embedded |
| Compression | Optional extensions | Optional extensions |
| Best for | Editing & debugging | Sharing & delivery |
Preview a model before the next handoff
glTF Viewer is useful when you need to answer a focused question: did the export include the mesh, do the materials appear, is an animation present, and are the scene nodes arranged as expected? Open a glTF or GLB asset in glTF Viewer to inspect the parsed scene in an interactive 3D view. Drag to orbit, zoom in on details, frame the model, and compare standard camera directions without installing a desktop editor.
When a teammate sends an export, use glTF Viewer to check that the scene opens and its textures and animation clips appear before importing it into a larger project. The glTF Viewer preview is for inspection; it does not change the source asset. Edit geometry, paint textures, repair UVs, or export another format in the application that created the model.
Load every file the scene needs
A .gltf file is a JSON scene description and can refer to geometry and images stored elsewhere. Keep its relative folder structure intact, then select the scene file together with its BIN and texture resources in glTF Viewer. Folder selection can preserve nested paths in supported browsers. If a referenced resource is missing or renamed, the model may open incompletely or fail to load; match the path and filename shown in the error rather than choosing a similar-looking image.
A .glb file uses a binary container and commonly packages the scene and resources together, which makes it convenient to share. “Single file” is a useful expectation, not a guarantee: an export opened in glTF Viewer can still refer to external resources. Include any named dependencies when prompted. The glTF Viewer checks the referenced paths; the extension alone does not tell you whether geometry or images have been compressed.
Read model details in context
After parsing succeeds, Model Info in glTF Viewer reports values read from the asset, such as scenes, nodes, meshes, materials, textures, vertices, triangles, animations, extensions, and bounding dimensions. These figures describe model data; they are not a quality score. Scene Graph in glTF Viewer provides a navigable view of the node hierarchy so you can spot unexpected nesting or locate named parts. Use the glTF Viewer for an initial visual check, then open a glTF file viewer or editor suited to the next step in your pipeline.
Dimensions are shown in model units. glTF uses meters by convention, but an exporter may apply a scale that does not match real-world measurements. Check the source application before treating a displayed dimension as a physical measurement. If a model contains animation clips, glTF Viewer playback controls let you inspect the motion; a static file will not show animation controls.
Check validation separately from appearance
A model rendered in glTF Viewer can still contain specification issues, or fail to render while a validator can identify malformed data. Run validation in glTF Viewer or open the glTF validator to inspect real errors, warnings, pointers, and report details. Include referenced files so the check can resolve the package.
A clean report means the data passed the validator's rules; it does not guarantee identical appearance or compatibility in every engine. Use the glTF Viewer report as one check, then confirm important exports in the application where they will be used.
Local files and practical limits
Files selected in glTF Viewer stay in your browser; the application does not upload the model to a server or fetch remote URLs embedded in an asset. Your device handles the preview, so unusually large or complex models can still be limited by available memory and graphics capacity. The configured file-selection limit is 100 MB, but a smaller file can still be demanding to render.
When a model fails to open in glTF Viewer, first confirm that it is a glTF 2.0 asset, select all local dependencies, and read the specific error. Then run validation for structural issues and try a fresh export if needed. For step-by-step instructions, see how to open glTF files, how to open GLB files, and the glTF and GLB comparison.
Frequently asked questions
What is glTF Viewer?
glTF Viewer opens 3D assets in the glTF format so you can rotate, zoom, and inspect them. It reads glTF 2.0 and its GLB binary container, including supported materials, textures, and animation clips.
Is glTF Viewer free to use?
Yes. You can inspect models and run validation for free. You do not need an account or a subscription.
Can I view GLB files online?
Yes. Choose a .glb file or drop it into the glTF Viewer workspace. A GLB usually contains geometry and textures together; if it references external files, include those resources too.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. Selected model files stay in your browser while you inspect them in glTF Viewer. This site does not upload them. The app, sample model, and locally hosted decoders are downloaded from our site. A separate Meshy affiliate link, when configured, opens an external service only when you click it.
How do I open a glTF file online?
Choose your .gltf file together with the .bin and texture files it references, or use Open folder to preserve their paths in glTF Viewer. After loading, drag to rotate and scroll or pinch to zoom.
Does the viewer support animations?
Yes. In glTF Viewer, models with animation clips display playback, clip selection, timeline, speed, restart, and loop controls. Skinning and morph target animations use the glTF data. Static models do not show an animation bar.
What is the difference between GLB and glTF?
glTF is the asset format. A .gltf file stores its scene description as JSON and may reference separate resources. A .glb file packages glTF data in a binary container. GLB packaging does not by itself compress geometry or textures.
Why is my glTF model not loading?
Common causes include missing BIN or texture files, invalid JSON, unsupported required extensions, browser WebGL limits, or files exceeding the size limit. Read the workspace error, include all referenced resources, and run the validator to inspect the file.