diff --git a/stb_image.h b/stb_image.h
index e87f059..01cc73a 100644
--- a/stb_image.h
+++ b/stb_image.h
@@ -2845,7 +2845,9 @@ static int stbi__parse_png_file(stbi__png *z, int scan, int req_comp)
             if (first) return stbi__err("first not IHDR", "Corrupt PNG");
             if (scan != SCAN_load) return 1;
             if (z->idata == NULL) return stbi__err("no IDAT","Corrupt PNG");
-            z->expanded = (stbi_uc *) stbi_zlib_decode_malloc_guesssize_headerflag((char *) z->idata, ioff, 16384, (int *) &raw_len, !is_iphone);
+            // initial guess for decoded data size to avoid unnecessary reallocs
+            raw_len = s->img_x * s->img_y * s->img_n /* pixels */ + s->img_y /* filter mode per row */;
+            z->expanded = (stbi_uc *) stbi_zlib_decode_malloc_guesssize_headerflag((char *) z->idata, ioff, raw_len, (int *) &raw_len, !is_iphone);
             if (z->expanded == NULL) return 0; // zlib should set error
             free(z->idata); z->idata = NULL;
             if ((req_comp == s->img_n+1 && req_comp != 3 && !pal_img_n) || has_trans)