PICON to XBM Converter

PICON to XBM conversion — modern image format in seconds

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No Install Required

The entire PICON to XBM conversion happens in your browser. No plugins, no desktop apps — just upload, convert, and download.

Secure Processing

Uploaded PICON images are erased right after conversion, and the resulting XBM files are purged within 24 hours — your data stays private.

Format Upgrade

Move from early Unix desktop era PICON to the modern XBM format — enjoy monochrome bitmap for X11 cursors and icons and broad software compatibility.

How to convert PICON to XBM

1

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

2

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

3

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

About formats

PICON (Personal Icon) is a small-format image type used in the X Window System ecosystem, developed by Steve Kinzler at Indiana University around 1990 as part of the picons (personal icons) database project. Picons are small, typically 48x48 pixel, color images used as visual identifiers for people, organizations, domains, and Usenet newsgroups in Unix mail readers, news readers, and other communication tools. The picon format is essentially an XPM (X PixMap) image stored with specific naming conventions and directory structures that allow software to look up the appropriate icon based on email address, domain name, or newsgroup name. The picons database organized thousands of these small images in a hierarchical directory structure keyed by domain name components (e.g., faces/com/example/user.xpm), enabling mail clients like exmstrstrstr and faces to automatically display a sender's photo or organizational logo alongside their messages. The system predated the modern concept of contact photos and avatars by more than a decade. One advantage is the system's pioneering role in visual identity for electronic communication: picons introduced the idea that email and Usenet messages should display a visual representation of the sender — a concept that eventually became standard in every modern email client, messaging app, and social media platform. The XPM-based format ensures that picons are displayable on any system with X Window libraries. Picon images are supported by ImageMagick, GIMP, and X Window display utilities, and the historical picons database remains archived online at Indiana University.
Developer: Steve Kinzler
Initial release: 1990
XBM (X BitMap) is a monochrome (1-bit) image format defined as part of the X Window System, originating at MIT around 1987. XBM files are unique among image formats in being valid C source code: each file defines the image as a static array of unsigned char values containing the packed pixel data, preceded by #define statements specifying the image width, height, and optional hot-spot coordinates (for cursor images). The pixel data is stored in hexadecimal byte values within curly braces, with each bit representing one pixel (1 = foreground, 0 = background) and bits ordered LSB-first within each byte. This design was intentional — XBM images could be #included directly into X Window application source code and compiled into the binary, eliminating the need for external file loading and runtime format parsing. The format was used throughout the X11 ecosystem for cursor shapes, window icons, toolbar buttons, and other small UI elements. One advantage is the source-code nature of the format: XBM files can be edited with a text editor, diff'd and merged in version control, generated by shell scripts, and compiled directly into C programs without any image loading library — a level of toolchain integration that no binary image format can match. The format's role as part of the X Window standard ensures it is understood by every X11-aware toolkit and application. While limited to monochrome and no compression, XBM's simplicity makes it an excellent teaching format for understanding bitmap representations. XBM files are supported by all X11 applications, ImageMagick, GIMP, web browsers (as a legacy web format), and programming environments.
Developer: MIT X Consortium
Initial release: 1987

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the reason to convert PICON to XBM?

Few modern tools handle PICON natively. XBM provides monochrome bitmap for X11 cursors and icons, making it widely recognized across operating systems and applications.

What programs open XBM files?

Open XBM using GIMP, ImageMagick, X11 viewers, web browsers. Cross-platform support means you can access these files on virtually any system.

Does this converter work on mobile devices?

It works on any device with a web browser. Whether you are on Android, iOS, Windows, or macOS — PICON to XBM conversion is fully supported.

Are my uploaded files kept private?

Your privacy is protected. All uploaded files are erased after conversion and output files are purged within 24 hours — nothing is stored long-term.

What exactly is the PICON format?

PICON (small thumbnail/icon format from Unix systems) originated in Unix file managers. It has very limited modern application support but can be converted to modern formats on Convertio.

Does converting PICON to XBM affect quality?

The conversion preserves the visual content of your PICON image. XBM will reproduce the same pixel data within the limits of its format capabilities.