Is my IFC file uploaded anywhere?

No. Files are parsed entirely in your browser via web-ifc, a WebAssembly build of the open-source IFC parser. Nothing leaves your machine. The app works completely offline once loaded.

Can I use it with confidential models under NDA?

Yes. Because all processing happens in your browser and no data is ever transmitted to any server, you can safely use it with confidential project models under NDA. There is no service agreement to review with your client — no data changes hands.

Can I share the validation results with my team or client?

Yes. After running validation, click Share Report to copy a link that encodes the full Health Score and issue list directly in the URL — no file upload, no server, no account required. You can also export results as JSON, CSV, or a Validation Certificate. The IFC file itself never leaves your browser.

Yes, fully. IFC Viewer Online works on any modern browser — Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari on both Mac and Windows. No plugin, no installation, no operating system restriction.

What happens if my IFC file is very large?

The app handles files up to 2 GB. Performance depends on your device — files under 200 MB load well on most modern hardware. Once parsed, geometry is cached in OPFS so every subsequent load of the same file is instant, even offline.

How does the validation work?

The validator runs 44 built-in rules in a background Web Worker so the UI stays responsive. Rules cover GUID duplicates, spatial hierarchy, orphan elements, naming conventions, missing type assignments, ISO 19650 property sets, LOD completeness, clash detection, proxy overuse, coordinate offset, storey-elevation integrity, unit consistency, and more. You can also run a buildingSMART IDS specification against the model. Every model receives a Health Score from 0 to 100. Results stream in as each rule completes.

Can I fix errors and re-export a corrected IFC?

Yes. All edits (GUID fixes, renames, property value changes) are held as non-destructive diffs with full undo/redo. Clicking Export IFC applies all diffs to the original binary in a Web Worker and downloads the corrected file — no server involved.

What IFC versions are supported?

IFC2x3, IFC4, IFC4x1, and IFC4x3. The viewer uses the open-source web-ifc parser — the same engine used by most modern BIM tools and @thatopen/components. Outdated schemas are automatically flagged by the validator.

What measurement tools are available?

You can measure lengths between any two points, areas of surfaces, volumes of enclosed elements, and individual edge lengths — all directly in the 3D viewport. Measurements persist as labelled annotations and can be exported alongside your model.

Can I load multiple IFC files at once?

Yes. Load as many IFC files as your device memory allows. Each model has independent visibility, transforms, validation, quantity takeoff, and export. Use the Scene panel to manage, reorder, or remove models at any time.

Does it work offline?

Yes, once the page is loaded. The WebAssembly parser and WebGL renderer run entirely in the browser. Parsed geometry is cached in OPFS so repeat loads are instant even without a network connection.

What are the file size limits?

There is no enforced limit — performance depends on your device. Files up to ~200 MB typically load well on modern hardware. The OPFS geometry cache means you only pay the parse cost once per file.

Is it free? Can I use it for commercial projects?

Yes, completely free. The source code is MIT-licensed. You can use the live app or fork the repository for your own projects, including commercial ones.

Back to the BIM & IFC blog

Tool Guides · 2026-06-02 · 6 min

View IFC Files in Your Browser — Free, No Installation

You're 20 minutes from a client call and just received a 200 MB IFC file. No Revit, no Navisworks, no BIM software. Here's how to open, inspect, and validate it before the call ends.

View IFC Files in Your Browser — Free, No Installation — IFC Viewer Online article cover

44 — validation rules
0 bytes — uploaded to server
100% — runs in browser
13 — demo IFC models

IFC files are the lingua franca of open BIM — but they're also notoriously hard to open without a dedicated workstation and £5,000 of software. Most online 'IFC viewers' either upload your file to a server (a non-starter for sensitive project data) or choke on anything larger than 10 MB.

This viewer parses IFC files entirely in your browser using WebAssembly. Your geometry never leaves your device. You can open a 200 MB file on an airplane with Wi-Fi off.

Private by design

Files are parsed client-side via web-ifc WASM. Zero bytes reach any server. No account required.

Parsed once, cached forever

Geometry is stored in the browser's Origin Private File System. Repeat loads are ~10× faster.

Works offline

Once loaded, the app runs without a network connection. No CDN dependencies at runtime.

44 validation rules

From duplicate GUIDs to spatial hierarchy violations — every major IFC quality issue surfaced in under 30 seconds.

How to Open an IFC File in 3 Steps

Open IFC Viewer in any browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge. No extension or plugin needed.
Drag your .ifc file onto the viewer, or click "Open a file" and browse to it. Files up to 500 MB work reliably on modern hardware.
The model renders in seconds. Validation runs automatically in a background thread — your Health Score appears in the top-left corner.

Duplex Apartment — Architecture

The classic buildingSMART duplex. A real IFC2x3 residential model with walls, doors, windows, and a complete spatial hierarchy. A good baseline to see what a healthy model looks like.

IFC2x3 · 2.4 MB

Open the interactive IFC viewer

What You Can Do Once It's Open

Navigate the 3D model with orbit, pan, and zoom. Right-click any element for isolation, hiding, and spatial path.
Click any element to see its IFC class, name, type, storey, and full property set.
Switch to Blueprint or X-Ray render modes for detailed inspection.
Open the Validation panel to see all quality issues grouped by rule, with severity levels and per-element details.
Load a second (or third) IFC file to federate models — MEP + structural + architectural in one view.
Export your corrected IFC, a BCF report, or a GLB for web viewing.

The Health Score

Every IFC file opened in this viewer receives a Health Score from 0 to 100. It's a single number that summarises the structural and data quality of your model. A score of 87 means 'minor issues, ready for coordination'. A score of 43 means 'serious problems, do not send to the CDE'.

The score is logarithmically weighted by issue severity — one schema error hurts more than 200 naming warnings. It runs entirely in a Web Worker, so it doesn't block your interaction with the 3D view.

View IFC Files in Your Browser — Free, No Installation