Remove Metadata from PNG Online
Strip text chunks, EXIF data, author, software and all hidden metadata from your PNG images — free, instant and secure
What Metadata Does a PNG File Store?
PNG uses a chunk-based format where metadata is stored in specialised chunks alongside the image data. The three most common metadata chunk types are tEXt (plain text key-value pairs), iTXt (international text, often carrying full XMP payloads), and zTXt (compressed text). These chunks can carry any field the creating software chooses to write.
Common fields found in PNG metadata include: Author and Copyright — names written by Photoshop, GIMP or other editors; Comment — free-text notes; Creation Time — when the file was created or last exported; Software — the exact application name and version used to produce the file (e.g. "Adobe Photoshop 25.0"); Source — device or scanner info; and full XMP blocks that can contain document history, colour profiles and copyright metadata.
Screenshots captured on macOS or Windows are PNG files and automatically include the OS build number, screen resolution and — on some systems — the device name. This data can expose your hardware configuration to anyone who receives the file.
PNG vs JPG Metadata: Key Differences
Unlike JPG, standard PNG does not embed GPS coordinates from camera sensors — PNG was designed for graphics, not photography. However, some editing pipelines convert JPGs to PNGs while preserving an EXIF block that includes location data. Additionally, the XMP chunk in PNG can carry arbitrary metadata including geolocation if written by GPS-aware software.
The practical privacy risk from PNG metadata is slightly different from JPG: instead of camera GPS exposure, you are more likely revealing your identity as an author, your software stack (useful to an attacker probing for unpatched versions), and precise creation timestamps. For screenshots shared in bug reports, press releases or online discussions, removing this data is straightforward good practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What metadata does a PNG file contain?
PNG stores metadata in text chunks (tEXt, iTXt, zTXt) and optional EXIF blocks. Fields include Author, Copyright, Comment, Creation Time, Software version, Source and XMP data. Screenshots also embed OS version and screen resolution.
Does removing PNG metadata affect transparency?
No. PNG transparency (alpha channel) is part of the image data, not metadata. Removing text chunks or EXIF blocks has zero effect on transparency, colours or quality.
Why do PNG screenshots contain metadata?
Screenshot tools write OS version, device name and resolution into the PNG. Removing this before sharing screenshots publicly is good practice, especially in professional or security contexts.