paint.js is an unofficial, proof-of-concept, cross-platform JavaScript port of the Windows only raster graphics editor Paint.NET by Rick Brewster. This port is available for the web and as an Electron desktop application.
Its core editing model is based on Paint.NET 3.36.7, the last version released under the original MIT-compatible license, while the current interface and behavior follow Paint.NET v5.1.12+.
Paint.NET is one of the best image editors available on Windows, combining powerful features with a simple, intuitive interface. After switching to Linux, it became the application I missed most and one I had relied on every day. I have been developing paint.js since February 2024, with the goal of bringing that familiar editing experience to Linux, macOS, and the web.
Use paint.js directly at paintjs.net. No installation is required.
Install paintdotjs-bin from the AUR with an
AUR helper, for example:
yay -S paintdotjs-binDuring installation, the AUR package fetches the required artwork and translations from the official Paint.NET download.
Download the latest universal .dmg from GitHub Releases,
open it, and drag paint.js into the Applications folder.
The macOS app fetches the required artwork and translations from the official Paint.NET download on first launch.
paint.js is largely feature-complete and closely reproduces the Paint.NET experience, but there are still some additions and limitations worth noting.
- Runs on macOS, Linux, Windows, and the web through a shared JavaScript codebase, with an Electron desktop application for a more native experience.
- A Fonts settings page lets you add font files by picker or drag and drop, preview installed fonts, and remove individual fonts or clear them all. Added fonts are stored locally and are available in the Text tool.
- A searchable Keyboard settings page lets you rebind, clear, and reset keyboard shortcuts.
- Interface, canvas, tool, pen, window, and dialog preferences are stored locally and restored across sessions.
- The deployed web version can work offline and provides browser-oriented file, clipboard, and drag and drop workflows.
- Chromium is the supported browser family. Firefox and Safari are not regularly tested, and their file-system and clipboard capabilities differ.
- Open Recent, scanner/camera acquisition, and color-profile commands are not implemented yet.
- Native Paint.NET plugins and file-type plugins cannot be loaded.
- Manual GPU/device selection and direct advanced-color management are not implemented.
- Very large documents, large-radius effects, and complex selections may still be slower or more memory-intensive than in Paint.NET.
- Some browser functionality requires HTTPS or localhost, including parts of the clipboard, file-system, and offline-app support.
| Format | Paint.NET open | Paint.NET save | paint.js open | paint.js save | Important differences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Paint.NET (.pdn) |
Yes | Yes | Limited | Limited | paint.js supports bitmap layers and basic layer properties, with a maximum of 64 layers when saving. History, selections, plugin data, and some newer PDN features are not preserved. |
| PNG | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | — |
JPEG (.jpg, .jpeg, .jpe) |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | — |
JPEG XL (.jxl) |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | — |
| AVIF | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | — |
| HEIC/HEIF | With the Windows codec | With the Windows codec | Yes | No | The bundled paint.js codec can decode these files but cannot encode them. |
| WebP | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | — |
| DDS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | paint.js saves uncompressed 32-bit images only. |
TIFF (.tif, .tiff) |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | paint.js saves uncompressed RGBA images only. |
| GIF | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | paint.js saves a single static, palette-based image only. |
| BMP | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | paint.js saves 32-bit images with alpha only. |
| TGA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | paint.js saves uncompressed 32-bit images only. |
JPEG XR (.jxr, .wdp, .wmp) |
Yes | Yes | Limited | No | paint.js can open RGB images with 8-bit, 16-bit, or 32-bit floating-point channels but cannot save JPEG XR. |
Animated and multi-page files are imported and exported as a single static image in paint.js.
Development requires Node.js 22 or newer. Install the dependencies first:
npm ciRun the development build in watch mode:
npm run web-watchIn a second terminal, start a local web server and open http://127.0.0.1:8773/:
npx http-server . -p 8773Do not open index.html directly from the filesystem because browser security restrictions disable
required functionality.
npm run appThe repository does not redistribute Paint.NET's modern artwork and translations because they are not part of the MIT-compatible Paint.NET 3.36.7 source release on which this project is based. On the first build, paint.js fetches the required assets from the official Paint.NET download. This lets the interface follow Paint.NET v5.1.12+ without redistributing those files in this repository.
paint.js is licensed under the MIT License. See the attribution notice for details about Paint.NET and the JavaScript port.