XPM to UYVY Converter

Change XPM images to UYVY — no downloads, works online

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Batch Processing

Upload multiple XPM files at once and convert them all to UYVY in a single session — ideal when you have many legacy images to migrate.

Simple Interface

Three steps to convert: upload your XPM, select UYVY, and download. The clean interface makes the process intuitive even for first-time users.

Any Device Works

Convert XPM to UYVY from Windows, macOS, Linux, or mobile — the browser-based tool adapts to any screen size and operating system.

How to convert XPM to UYVY

1

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

2

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

3

Let the file convert and you can download your uyvy 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
UYVY is a packed pixel format for storing images and video frames in YUV 4:2:2 chroma-subsampled color space, with the UYVY designation indicating the byte ordering within each 4-byte macropixel: U (Cb), Y0, V (Cr), Y1. Each macropixel encodes two horizontal pixels sharing a single pair of chrominance samples (U and V) but retaining individual luminance values (Y0 and Y1), achieving 2:1 horizontal chroma subsampling that reduces data size by 33% compared to full 4:4:4 YUV while maintaining full luminance resolution. The UYVY ordering is specified as a FOURCC code in Microsoft's Video for Windows and DirectShow frameworks, and is commonly used in professional video capture cards, broadcast equipment, and video processing pipelines. UYVY raw files contain no header — the pixel data is a flat sequence of U,Y,V,Y byte quadruplets, requiring external specification of image dimensions. The 4:2:2 subsampling exploits the human visual system's lower spatial resolution for color compared to brightness: the eye notices luminance detail at much higher spatial frequencies than chrominance detail, so sharing color samples between adjacent pixels produces no visible quality loss in practice. One advantage is broadcast-standard compatibility: UYVY's 4:2:2 sampling matches the chrominance structure used in professional video standards (ITU-R BT.601, SDI), making it the natural format for video capture hardware and frame-accurate processing. The format's efficient memory layout is another strength — the packed byte arrangement enables fast DMA transfers between capture hardware and system memory. UYVY data is handled by FFmpeg, ImageMagick, and professional video capture/editing software.
Developer: ITU-T / Microsoft
Initial release: 1982

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would I convert XPM to UYVY?

XPM originated in X11/Linux desktops and has narrow compatibility today. UYVY offers raw YUV pixel data in UYVY ordering — a far more practical choice for sharing.

What apps support UYVY?

You can view UYVY with ImageMagick, FFmpeg, raw image viewers. These tools cover all major desktop and mobile platforms.

Is XPM to UYVY conversion free?

Yes — Convertio offers free XPM to UYVY conversion. Premium options exist for users who need more capacity or faster processing speeds.

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.

What platforms support this XPM converter?

Since it runs in the browser, any operating system works — desktop or mobile. No platform-specific software is needed to convert XPM to UYVY.