XPM to FAX Converter

Convert XPM images to FAX format quickly and easily online

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Browser-Based Tool

No software to download — convert XPM to FAX entirely in your web browser. Works on any device with an internet connection.

Reliable Conversion

Convertio handles the XPM to FAX transformation accurately, preserving your image content while delivering a widely compatible output.

Secure Processing

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

How to convert XPM to FAX

1

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

2

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

3

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

About formats

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
FAX is a generic image file extension associated with facsimile transmission formats standardized by the ITU-T (formerly CCITT), with the underlying Group 3 compression standard ratified in 1980. FAX files typically contain monochrome (1-bit, black and white) image data compressed using the Modified Huffman (MH) encoding defined in ITU-T Recommendation T.4, which assigns variable-length codes to run lengths of consecutive white or black pixels along each scanline. The standard resolution for Group 3 fax is 204x98 dpi (normal mode) or 204x196 dpi (fine mode), reflecting the capabilities of thermal and laser fax machines of the era. FAX files encountered digitally are often raw Group 3 encoded bitstreams or TIFF wrappers with CCITT Group 3 compression (TIFF compression tag 3). The Group 3 encoding scheme is highly efficient for typical business documents — pages with mostly white space and black text — achieving compression ratios of 10:1 to 20:1 compared to uncompressed bitmaps. One advantage is universal fax system compatibility: Group 3 encoding is the mandatory baseline for all fax machines worldwide, meaning FAX files contain data in exactly the format transmitted over telephone lines, preserving the original fax data without transcoding losses. The format's role in business communications history provides another dimension — billions of fax transmissions using this encoding moved legal documents, medical records, and business correspondence for decades, and archived FAX files represent an important documentary record. FAX images can be viewed and converted using LibreOffice, ImageMagick, GIMP, and standard document management systems.
Developer: ITU-T
Initial release: 1980

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert XPM to FAX?

XPM originated in X11/Linux desktops and has narrow compatibility today. FAX offers fax transmission image encoding — a far more practical choice for sharing.

What apps support FAX?

You can view FAX with ImageMagick, IrfanView, fax software, GIMP. These tools cover all major desktop and mobile platforms.

Does converting XPM to FAX affect quality?

Your image content stays intact during conversion. Any differences depend on FAX characteristics — such as color depth or compression method.

What exactly is the XPM format?

XPM (color pixmap format for X Window System) originated in X11/Linux desktops. It has very limited modern application support but can be converted to modern formats on Convertio.

How long does XPM to FAX conversion take?

Conversion is nearly instant for most XPM files. Since these are small images, the entire process — upload to download — takes only moments.

What platforms support this XPM converter?

The converter works on any platform with a web browser — Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS all supported for XPM to FAX conversion.