BIN to PDB Converter

Convert MacBinary font data to PDB image format

Choose Files

Drop files here. 1 GB maximum file size or Sign Up

Palm Database Format

PDB is the standard container for Palm OS data. BIN to PDB conversion creates output for Palm devices and emulator environments.

Cloud Conversion

BIN to PDB processing runs entirely on Convertio servers. Your device just handles the upload and download — nothing heavier.

Any Device

Use the converter from any browser on any platform. BIN to PDB conversion works from desktops, tablets, and mobile phones.

How to convert BIN to PDB

Select files from Computer, Google Drive, Dropbox, URL or by dragging it on the page.

Choose pdb or any other format you need as a result (more than 200 formats supported)

Let the file convert and you can download your pdb file right afterwards

About formats

BIN refers to MacBinary-encoded font files, a transfer format that preserves classic Macintosh file system features when moving data across platforms. Classic Mac OS stored fonts using the resource fork — a secondary data stream invisible to non-Mac systems — which meant that simply copying a Mac font to a Windows PC or Unix server would strip the actual font data entirely. MacBinary solves this by combining both the data fork and resource fork into a single flat file with a 128-byte header containing the original HFS metadata. In the font context, BIN files typically wrap TrueType suitcase fonts, PostScript Type 1 LWFN outline files, or bitmap NFNT font resources. The format was first specified in 1985 by Dennis Brothers and collaborators from the early Mac community, with MacBinary II following around 1987 and MacBinary III arriving in 1996 to support longer filenames. A key advantage is lossless preservation: every byte of the original Mac font file survives intact through email, FTP, or cross-platform file sharing, including creator and type codes that identify the font format. The single-file packaging is another practical strength — rather than dealing with separate data and resource streams, users and automated systems handle one portable container. Although modern macOS has moved away from resource forks and Mac fonts now typically ship as OTF, TTF, or DFONT files, BIN remains important for accessing archived font collections from the classic Mac era.

Developer: Dennis Brothers

Initial release: 1985

PDB (Palm Database) is a generic database container format created by Palm, Inc. for the Palm OS platform, first appearing with the original PalmPilot in March 1996. In the ebook context, PDB files most commonly use the PalmDOC or Plucker encoding to store readable text with basic formatting. The format consists of a 78-byte header identifying the database name, creation date, and record count, followed by a record index table and the data records themselves. PalmDOC-encoded PDB files use a simple LZ77-based compression scheme to pack plain text efficiently, while Plucker extends this with HTML rendering, image support, and hyperlink navigation. PDB ebooks powered a thriving mobile reading ecosystem years before dedicated e-readers existed — millions of Palm OS users carried entire libraries on devices like the Palm V, Tungsten, and Treo handhelds. A primary advantage is extreme simplicity: the flat record structure and minimal overhead mean PDB files parse instantly even on severely constrained hardware with limited memory and processing power. The open, well-documented structure is another strength, having spawned numerous reader applications across Palm OS, Windows, and later mobile platforms. Though the Palm platform is long discontinued, PDB ebooks remain accessible through conversion tools and readers like Calibre, and the format holds historical significance as one of the earliest practical mobile ebook solutions.

Developer: Palm, Inc.

Initial release: March 1996

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert BIN to PDB?

PDB is the Palm Database format for images. Converting BIN produces output compatible with Palm devices, emulators, and PDB readers.

How to open PDB files?

PDB image files open on Palm OS devices and emulators. Desktop tools like Calibre and specialized PDB readers can also handle them.

Is PDB related to Palm OS?

Yes — PDB (Palm Database) is the native container for Palm OS data. Image PDB files store pictures viewable on Palm handhelds.

Is this conversion instant?

Nearly — font files are compact, so Convertio processes BIN to PDB in seconds using its cloud infrastructure.

Is there a fee for BIN to PDB?

No — Convertio provides free conversion for this format pair. No registration, no fees — just open the page and start.

Related Conversions

BIN to JPG

BIN to PNG

BIN to OTF

BIN to PDB

BIN to JPEG

BIN to SVG

BIN to GIF

BIN to BMP

BIN to TTF

BIN to TIFF

BIN to WOFF

BIN to JP2

BIN to PSD

BIN to PS

BIN to ICO

BIN to WEBP

BIN to UFO

BIN to TGA

BIN to RAS

BIN to WBMP

BIN to CUR

BIN to PCX

BIN to PGX

BIN to DFONT

BIN to PGM

BIN to DDS

BIN to CID

BIN to CFF

BIN to PFA

BIN to EXR

BIN to YUV

BIN to PICT

BIN to PFB

BIN to PBM

BIN to IPL

BIN to G3

BIN to MAP

BIN to AFM

BIN to FTS

BIN to MTV

BIN to FAX

BIN to UYVY

BIN to XPM

BIN to T42

BIN to PAL

BIN to OTB

BIN to PNM

BIN to PPM

BIN to JPE

BIN to JFIF

BIN to HEIC

BIN to RGF

BIN to SGI

BIN to HDR

BIN to RGB

BIN to PT3

BIN to SFD

BIN to T11

BIN to HRZ

BIN to MNG

Specific converters

PDF to PDB

FB2 to PDB

EPUB to PDB

DOCX to PDB

DOC to PDB

JPG to PDB

BIN to PDB

TXT to PDB

MOBI to PDB

PPTX to PDB

RTF to PDB

XLSX to PDB

DJVU to PDB

ODT to PDB

PNG to PDB

JPEG to PDB

HTML to PDB

XLS to PDB

HEIC to PDB

AZW3 to PDB

CSV to PDB

PPT to PDB

JFIF to PDB

BMP to PDB

XPS to PDB

TTF to PDB

GIF to PDB

WEBP to PDB

PPSX to PDB

EPS to PDB

BIN to PDB Quality Rating

4.4 (359 votes)

You need to convert and download at least 1 file to provide feedback!