SNB to FAX Converter

Free online SNB to FAX image conversion

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Fax-Ready Output

Convert SNB ebook pages to FAX format — immediately compatible with Group 3 fax machines and fax server software.

Browser-Based Tool

No application to download. Open Convertio in any browser, upload your SNB file, and get the FAX result instantly.

Seconds to Convert

FAX files are lightweight monochrome images. Conversion from SNB completes almost instantly.

How to convert SNB to FAX

1

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

2

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

3

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

About formats

SNB is a proprietary ebook format developed by Shanghai Nutshell Electronics, a subsidiary of Shanda Interactive Entertainment, for the Bambook e-reader launched in August 2010. The format is structurally based on EPUB principles, packaging HTML content, CSS styling, images, and metadata within a compressed archive, but uses a proprietary container that restricts native playback to Bambook devices and associated software. Shanda designed the Bambook and its SNB ecosystem as an integrated reading platform tied to the Cloudary literature portal (later rebranded as China Literature), one of China's largest online publishing networks hosting millions of web novels and serialized fiction. The format supported reflowable text, chapter navigation, bookmarks, and basic typographic controls suited to Chinese-language content display. One advantage was tight integration with Shanda's massive content catalog, providing readers instant access to an enormous library of Chinese-language literature directly through the device. The Bambook was initially offered at a heavily subsidized price point, using the content ecosystem to drive revenue — a model that preceded similar strategies by other e-reader manufacturers. While the Bambook hardware line was eventually discontinued as the Chinese market shifted toward tablet-based reading apps, SNB files from that era can be converted to standard formats using tools like Calibre with appropriate plugins. The format represents an interesting case study in platform-specific ebook ecosystems within the Chinese digital publishing landscape.
Initial release: August 2010
FAX is a generic image file extension associated with facsimile transmission formats standardized by the ITU-T (formerly CCITT), with the underlying Group 3 compression standard ratified in 1980. FAX files typically contain monochrome (1-bit, black and white) image data compressed using the Modified Huffman (MH) encoding defined in ITU-T Recommendation T.4, which assigns variable-length codes to run lengths of consecutive white or black pixels along each scanline. The standard resolution for Group 3 fax is 204x98 dpi (normal mode) or 204x196 dpi (fine mode), reflecting the capabilities of thermal and laser fax machines of the era. FAX files encountered digitally are often raw Group 3 encoded bitstreams or TIFF wrappers with CCITT Group 3 compression (TIFF compression tag 3). The Group 3 encoding scheme is highly efficient for typical business documents — pages with mostly white space and black text — achieving compression ratios of 10:1 to 20:1 compared to uncompressed bitmaps. One advantage is universal fax system compatibility: Group 3 encoding is the mandatory baseline for all fax machines worldwide, meaning FAX files contain data in exactly the format transmitted over telephone lines, preserving the original fax data without transcoding losses. The format's role in business communications history provides another dimension — billions of fax transmissions using this encoding moved legal documents, medical records, and business correspondence for decades, and archived FAX files represent an important documentary record. FAX images can be viewed and converted using LibreOffice, ImageMagick, GIMP, and standard document management systems.
Developer: ITU-T
Initial release: 1980

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert SNB to FAX?

SNB is Bambook-exclusive. FAX format is designed for Group 3 fax machines — useful for sending ebook pages via traditional fax systems.

What software handles FAX files?

Windows Fax and Scan, IrfanView, XnView, and various fax server applications can open and process Group 3 FAX format files.

What resolution does FAX use?

Group 3 FAX typically uses 204x196 or 204x98 DPI resolution — optimized for fax transmission of text documents.

Is FAX format monochrome?

Yes, Group 3 FAX is a bi-level (black and white) format. Text converts cleanly, but grayscale and color information is discarded.

Is the conversion free?

Yes, basic SNB to FAX conversion is provided free on Convertio. Premium plans offer batch processing and extended limits.