CUR to XWD Converter

Browser-based CUR to XWD converter — easy to use

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Cursor Art Extracted

The cursor image inside CUR is extracted cleanly into XWD format — hotspot data is stripped, pure image remains.

Cloud-Powered Speed

Conversion runs entirely on powerful servers — your device stays fast and responsive while the CUR to XWD processing happens remotely.

Nothing to Install

The entire CUR to XWD conversion happens in your web browser. No downloads, no plugins — just a clean online tool.

How to convert CUR to XWD

1

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

2

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

3

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

About formats

CUR is the cursor image format for Microsoft Windows), structurally nearly identical to the ICO (icon) format but with the addition of a hotspot coordinate that identifies the precise pixel position where mouse clicks register. Introduced with early Windows versions, CUR files use the same container structure as ICO: a directory header listing one or more image entries, each specifying dimensions and color depth, followed by the pixel data for each variant. Like ICO, a single CUR file can contain multiple images at different sizes and color depths, allowing Windows to select the most appropriate cursor image for the current display resolution and color settings. Image data within CUR files can be stored as BMP pixel arrays (for legacy compatibility) or as embedded PNG images (supported since Windows Vista) for alpha-blended cursors with smooth edges. The hotspot coordinate — the distinguishing feature separating CUR from ICO — is stored as an X,Y pair in the directory entry header, typically pointing to the tip of an arrow or the center of a crosshair. One advantage is multi-resolution packaging: a single CUR file provides appropriate cursor imagery across display densities from standard DPI to high-DPI screens. Native Windows integration is another strength — CUR files are loaded directly by the operating system for mouse cursor) display without any third-party software. CUR files are used by application developers and theme creators to customize the pointing experience across Windows environments.
Developer: Microsoft
Initial release: 1987
XWD (X Window Dump) is a screen capture image format defined as part of the X Window System by the MIT X Consortium, dating to approximately 1987. The xwd command-line utility captures the contents of an X window or the entire screen and saves it as an XWD file — functionally equivalent to a screenshot utility but predating the concept by years. XWD files contain a detailed header specifying the X server's visual type, bit depth, byte order, bitmap unit and padding, the window's dimensions, border width, and color map information, followed by the raw pixel data exactly as represented in the X server's framebuffer. This means XWD files faithfully capture the exact pixel representation used by the display hardware — including server-specific byte ordering, padding, and color organization — making them primarily useful on the system where they were captured or on systems with compatible display configurations. The header also stores the window name string and the full color map entries for indexed-color visuals. XWD supports all X11 visual types: StaticGray, GrayScale, StaticColor, PseudoColor, TrueColor, and DirectColor, at any bit depth supported by the X server. One advantage is exact framebuffer fidelity: XWD captures the window's pixel data in its native format without any color space conversion or compression, making it the definitive record of what the X server was actually displaying. The format's integration with the X11 command-line toolkit provides another practical benefit — xwd can capture specific windows by ID or name, be triggered remotely via SSH, and piped directly to format converters. XWD files are handled by ImageMagick, GIMP, xwud (the viewer companion to xwd), and xv.
Developer: MIT X Consortium
Initial release: 1987

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert CUR to XWD?

Extracting cursor graphics from CUR files into XWD makes them editable in standard image tools for icon or UI work.

What programs open XWD files?

GIMP, ImageMagick, xwud utility, and X Window System tools display XWD screen captures

How fast is CUR to XWD conversion?

Most conversions complete within seconds. Larger or more complex files may take slightly longer, but processing happens on fast cloud servers.

Is my CUR file safe during conversion?

Uploaded files are processed securely and deleted after conversion. Downloaded results are removed from servers within 24 hours.

Will the converted XWD keep the original resolution?

Yes — the default conversion preserves the original pixel dimensions

Does the conversion preserve transparency?

XWD does not support transparency natively. Alpha channel data from CUR will be flattened against a solid background during conversion.