XCF to G4 Converter

Change XCF to G4 format — free conversion online

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Wide Compatibility

Convert XCF to G4 and dozens of other formats. Convertio supports hundreds of conversion directions for maximum flexibility.

Cross-Platform

Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Convert XCF to G4 from whichever device you have at hand — no restrictions.

Batch Convert

Have multiple XCF files? Upload them all at once and convert the entire batch to G4 in a single session — saves significant time.

How to convert XCF to G4

1

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

2

Choose g4 or any other format you need as a result (more than 200 formats supported)

3

Let the file convert and you can download your g4 file right afterwards

About formats

XCF (eXperimental Computing Facility) is the native file format of GIMP) (GNU Image Manipulation Program), named after the computing facility at UC Berkeley where Spencer Kimball and Peter Mattis originally developed GIMP as a student project, with the format introduced alongside GIMP 1.0 in 1998. XCF stores the complete editing state of a GIMP project: all layers with their positions, dimensions, opacity, and blending modes; layer masks; channels (including custom alpha channels); paths (vector shapes stored as Bezier curves); parasites (arbitrary named data attached to the image or individual layers); and the image's color profile, resolution, guides, and grid settings. The format supports 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit floating-point precision per channel in RGB, grayscale, and indexed color modes, and uses a tile-based internal structure where the image is divided into 64x64 pixel tiles that are individually RLE-compressed. Each layer in an XCF file is stored independently with its own dimensions (layers can be larger or smaller than the canvas), enabling non-destructive editing workflows where source material is preserved at full resolution. One advantage is complete state preservation: XCF files save everything needed to resume editing exactly where you left off — every layer, mask, path, and setting — making them the essential working format for any multi-session GIMP project. The format's open specification is another strength: the XCF structure is fully documented and readable by GIMP, XnView, ImageMagick, and various programming libraries, ensuring project files remain accessible without vendor lock-in.
Initial release: 1998
G4 is a monochrome image format based on the ITU-T Group 4 facsimile coding standard (Recommendation T.6), ratified by the CCITT in 1984 as an improvement over Group 3 for use on error-free digital networks like ISDN rather than analog telephone lines. G4 files contain 1-bit image data compressed using exclusively two-dimensional Modified Modified READ (MMR) coding, where each scanline is encoded as a set of differences (changing elements) relative to the line above it. By eliminating the one-dimensional coding fallback and the end-of-line synchronization markers required by Group 3, G4 achieves 20-50% better compression ratios on typical document pages while producing a simpler, more regular bitstream. The format is most commonly encountered as a compression method within TIFF files (TIFF compression tag 4), where it became the standard archival format for scanned documents in enterprise document management, government records, and legal imaging systems. G4 compression is specified at 200, 300, or 400 dpi depending on the scanning application, with 300 dpi being the most common for archival-quality document imaging. One advantage is exceptional compression efficiency for document content: G4's two-dimensional prediction exploits the strong vertical correlation in text and line art pages, typically compressing a 300 dpi letter-size page to 30-50 KB — roughly half the size of equivalent Group 3 encoding. The format's entrenchment in document management infrastructure is another strength — G4 TIFF is the mandated format for many government digital records systems, court filing systems, and corporate archives, supported by every enterprise imaging platform.
Developer: ITU-T (CCITT)
Initial release: 1984

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert XCF to G4?

XCF files require GIMP to open. Converting to G4 lets you share your artwork with anyone, regardless of what software they have installed.

What can I use to view G4 files?

Fax software, document imaging systems, GIMP, and archive tools that handle Group 4 compressed fax images.

Is XCF to G4 conversion free?

Standard conversions are free on Convertio. Premium plans provide additional benefits for users who need to process larger volumes regularly.

Is it safe to upload XCF files?

Convertio deletes uploaded files immediately after conversion. Converted output is removed from servers within 24 hours for your privacy.

Do I need to install anything?

No — the entire conversion runs in your web browser. There is nothing to download or install on your computer or phone to convert XCF to G4.

Can I convert multiple XCF files at once?

Yes — Convertio supports batch uploads. Queue several XCF files and convert them all to G4 in one session, saving time on repetitive tasks.