TGA to XPM Converter

TGA to XPM conversion — browser-based, instant

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Secure Processing

Your TGA file is deleted right after conversion. The XPM output is purged from servers within 24 hours — your data stays private.

Browser-Based Tool

No software to install — open your browser, upload TGA, and download XPM. Works on any operating system with internet access.

Format Versatility

Beyond XPM, Convertio supports dozens of output formats for your TGA files. One tool handles all your conversion needs.

How to convert TGA to XPM

1

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

2

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

3

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

About formats

TGA (Truevision Graphics Adapter, also known as TARGA) is a raster image format created by Truevision in 1984 for their line of display adapter cards designed for IBM PC compatibles. The format stores pixel data in a straightforward structure: an 18-byte header specifying dimensions, color depth, and image descriptor flags, optional color map data, and the pixel array in either uncompressed or RLE-compressed form. TGA supports indexed color (8-bit with palette), true color (15-bit, 16-bit, 24-bit), and true color with alpha channel (32-bit), and was one of the first PC image formats to include per-pixel alpha transparency. The format became a staple of the professional graphics industry, widely adopted by video editing suites, 3D rendering software, and game development pipelines throughout the 1990s and 2000s. One advantage is native alpha channel support — TGA was one of the earliest formats offering full 8-bit alpha transparency per pixel, making it the standard output format for 3D renderers and compositing software where layered transparency is essential. The simple, well-documented structure is another strength: TGA files are quick to parse and write, with no complex metadata or container overhead, valued in real-time applications and game engines where loading speed matters. While PNG has largely replaced TGA for general use, the format persists in game development, texture pipelines, and 3D rendering workflows where its simplicity and alpha support remain advantageous.
Developer: Truevision
Initial release: 1984
XPM (X PixMap) is a color image format for the X Window System, developed by Arnaud Le Hors at GROUPE BULL beginning in 1989 as the color successor to the monochrome XBM format. Like XBM, XPM files are valid C source code — each file defines the image as a static array of character strings, where the header strings specify width, height, number of colors, and characters per pixel, the color definition strings map character codes to color values (supporting X11 color names, hexadecimal RGB, and symbolic color types like 'background' and 'foreground'), and the pixel strings encode each row as a sequence of character codes that index the color palette. This ASCII art representation makes XPM images human-readable: one can often see the image content directly in the text of the source file. The format went through three revisions: XPM1 (1989, compatible with X10), XPM2 (simplified syntax), and XPM3 (1991, the current version with the static char* syntax and extended color specification). XPM was the standard format for X Window application icons, splash screens, pixmap buttons, and themed UI elements throughout the 1990s and 2000s. One advantage is the combined benefits of being a valid C source file and a color image: XPM files can be compiled into applications, edited in any text editor, processed by text tools, and version-controlled, while supporting up to 256 colors with transparency (using the 'None' color keyword). The X11 ecosystem's reliance on XPM ensures broad tool support. XPM files are handled by all X11 toolkits, ImageMagick, GIMP, and web browsers (legacy support).
Initial release: 1989

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert TGA to XPM?

TGA files lack built-in compression — converting to XPM often reduces file size dramatically while preserving quality.

What programs open XPM files?

GIMP, ImageMagick, XnView, and X Window System tools open XPM text-based pixel map images

Are uploaded TGA files stored permanently?

No. Source files are deleted immediately after processing, and converted outputs are purged from servers within 24 hours automatically.

Does the conversion preserve transparency?

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

What platforms support the TGA to XPM converter?

Any device with a web browser — Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS, iOS, and Android. No app installation is needed.

Are colors preserved in the TGA to XPM conversion?

Color information transfers accurately to XPM. The converter maintains the original color profile as closely as the target format allows.

TGA to XPM Quality Rating

5.0 (3 votes)
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