XPM to PNG Converter
Convert XPM to PNG in your browser. XPM files usually come from Linux and X11 application icons, window manager themes and older GTK and Motif programs; PNG is the better fit for screenshots, logos, graphics and anything that needs transparency. You get a lossless 8-bit PNG with full alpha. Nothing is uploaded.
- Processed locally
- No upload, no wait
- No sign-up
- No watermark
Drop images here
or choose files · paste with Ctrl/⌘ V
XPM expected · other image formats also work
How to use XPM to PNG
- 1
Add your XPM files: drop them here, choose them, or paste from the clipboard.
- 2
There is nothing to tune: the PNG is written losslessly. Resizing and rotating are under More options if you need them.
- 3
Click Convert. Each file is decoded and encoded in a background thread on this device.
- 4
Download the .png files one at a time or together as a ZIP.
Why use Aback Images for xpm to png
Where the PNG goes next
PNG opens in every browser, operating system and image editor.
PNG next to XPM
Both sides are lossless, so the size depends on how well the PNG encoder handles this picture compared with the XPM's none: each pixel is one or more characters in C strings.
Written without a lossy pass
The PNG is written losslessly, so the pixels decoded from the XPM arrive unchanged.
Processed on your device
Your images are decoded, edited and encoded inside this browser tab by Web Workers. Nothing is uploaded to a server.
XPM vs PNG
What changes from XPM to PNG
Encoding: the XPM uses none: each pixel is one or more characters in C strings; PNG uses lossless DEFLATE with a prediction filter chosen per row, and the download is a lossless 8-bit PNG with full alpha.
Bit depth: a palette; characters per pixel set how many colours fit in the XPM; PNG allows 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16 bits per channel, and the PNG written here has 8 bits per channel.
Colour: a palette of named or hex colours in the XPM; PNG supports RGB, greyscale, or an indexed palette of up to 256 colours, written here as 8-bit sRGB.
Transparency: the XPM stores it as a palette entry named 'None', which is fully transparent; the PNG keeps it as a full alpha channel, so edges and shadows can fade smoothly.
Metadata: the XPM can carry comments and an optional hotspot in the values line; PNG can carry text chunks, an ICC profile, physical resolution and EXIF in an eXIf chunk, but nothing is copied across.
About XPM
XPM is the colour icon format of the X Window System, written as C source with a table that maps characters to colours. It remains in use for Linux application icons and in some toolkits.
An XPM file is a C array of strings: a values line (width, height, number of colours, characters per pixel), one line per colour mapping characters to a colour such as 'c #FF0000' or 'c None', then one string per row of pixels.
XPM files usually come from Linux and X11 application icons, window manager themes and older GTK and Motif programs.
About PNG
PNG stores pixels losslessly with full alpha transparency. It is ideal for screenshots, logos, UI and anything with sharp edges, but photos saved as PNG are several times larger than JPEG.
A PNG opens with an 8-byte signature and is a chain of chunks, each with its own CRC: IHDR (size, depth, colour type), optional PLTE and tRNS for palettes, one or more IDAT chunks with the compressed rows, and IEND.
When converting XPM to PNG makes sense
PNG is the better choice for screenshots, logos, graphics and anything that needs transparency, while XPM suits X11 and Linux application icons.
PNG strengths: Lossless: no quality loss, ever; Full transparency with smooth edges; Perfect for text, screenshots and graphics. Drawbacks to weigh: Large files for photographs; No standard animation (that is APNG).
Limitations
- XPM transparency is all or nothing (a single 'None' colour), so edges are hard rather than anti-aliased.
- A PNG of a photograph is often several times larger than a JPG; PNG pays off for screenshots, graphics and anything with transparency.
- The PNG is written in full colour; Compress PNG can shrink it further with a palette.
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Frequently asked questions
Does converting XPM to PNG lose quality?
PNG is written losslessly, so the pixels are stored exactly as decoded.
Is transparency kept in the PNG?
Yes. XPM stores it as a palette entry named 'None', which is fully transparent, and the PNG is written with an alpha channel, so transparent areas stay transparent.
Which apps open PNG files?
Every browser, operating system and image editor.
Are my images uploaded anywhere?
No. Processing happens inside your browser with WebAssembly and Web Workers. The site only downloads the app code and codecs; your files never leave your device. You can confirm this with the live upload counter on the tool, or in your browser's network panel.
Can I process many files at once?
Yes. Drop a whole selection or folder. Files are processed in parallel on several worker threads, each result can be downloaded on its own, and everything can be saved as one ZIP.
Is it free? Is there a file limit or watermark?
It is free with no account, no watermark and no daily limit. The only limit is your device's memory: very large images (over roughly 100 megapixels) may be refused to keep the tab from crashing.