XWD to G3 Converter

Migrate XWD bitmaps to G3 format online and for free

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Cloud Conversion

All XWD to G3 processing runs on Convertio servers — your device stays fast and free while the conversion happens in the cloud.

Secure Processing

Uploaded XWD images are erased right after conversion, and the resulting G3 files are purged within 24 hours — your data stays private.

Any Device Works

Convert XWD to G3 from Windows, macOS, Linux, or mobile — the browser-based tool adapts to any screen size and operating system.

How to convert XWD to G3

1

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

2

Choose g3 or any other format you need as a result (more than 200 formats supported)

3

Let the file convert and you can download your g3 file right afterwards

About formats

XWD (X Window Dump) is a screen capture image format defined as part of the X Window System by the MIT X Consortium, dating to approximately 1987. The xwd command-line utility captures the contents of an X window or the entire screen and saves it as an XWD file — functionally equivalent to a screenshot utility but predating the concept by years. XWD files contain a detailed header specifying the X server's visual type, bit depth, byte order, bitmap unit and padding, the window's dimensions, border width, and color map information, followed by the raw pixel data exactly as represented in the X server's framebuffer. This means XWD files faithfully capture the exact pixel representation used by the display hardware — including server-specific byte ordering, padding, and color organization — making them primarily useful on the system where they were captured or on systems with compatible display configurations. The header also stores the window name string and the full color map entries for indexed-color visuals. XWD supports all X11 visual types: StaticGray, GrayScale, StaticColor, PseudoColor, TrueColor, and DirectColor, at any bit depth supported by the X server. One advantage is exact framebuffer fidelity: XWD captures the window's pixel data in its native format without any color space conversion or compression, making it the definitive record of what the X server was actually displaying. The format's integration with the X11 command-line toolkit provides another practical benefit — xwd can capture specific windows by ID or name, be triggered remotely via SSH, and piped directly to format converters. XWD files are handled by ImageMagick, GIMP, xwud (the viewer companion to xwd), and xv.
Developer: MIT X Consortium
Initial release: 1987
G3 is a monochrome image format based on the ITU-T Group 3 facsimile coding standard (Recommendation T.4), ratified by the CCITT in 1980 as the universal compression method for fax transmission over telephone networks. G3 files contain 1-bit (black and white) image data encoded using Modified Huffman (MH) one-dimensional coding, where each scanline is independently compressed by replacing runs of consecutive white or black pixels with variable-length codewords from a predefined Huffman table optimized for typical document content. The standard also defines an optional two-dimensional coding mode (Modified READ) that encodes each line as differences from the previous line, achieving better compression for pages with vertical redundancy. Standard G3 resolution is 204 pixels per inch horizontally and either 98 (standard) or 196 (fine) pixels per inch vertically, producing the characteristic slightly-stretched appearance of received fax documents. The encoding was carefully optimized for the real-time transmission constraints of 1980s modems operating at 2400 to 14400 bps, where encoding and decoding speed had to match the communication channel rate. One advantage is universal telecommunications compatibility: Group 3 encoding remains the mandatory baseline codec for every fax machine manufactured, ensuring that G3 image data can be transmitted to or received from any fax device worldwide. The format's efficiency for document content is another strength — the Huffman tables were statistically tuned to the run-length distributions found in business documents, and typical pages compress to under 30 KB. G3 files are supported by LibreOffice, ImageMagick, and fax server software.
Developer: ITU-T (CCITT)
Initial release: 1980

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert XWD to G3?

XWD is tied to Unix/X11 screenshots. Switching to G3 gives you fax machine transmission format and broad support across platforms, browsers, and devices.

How do I open a G3 file?

Software that handles G3 includes ImageMagick, IrfanView, fax viewing software — giving you options on every major operating 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 — XWD to G3 conversion is fully supported.

Is XWD to G3 conversion free?

You can convert XWD to G3 for free on Convertio. Premium plans are available if you need higher throughput or larger file allowances.

Can I convert multiple XWD files to G3 at once?

Yes — upload several XWD files in one session and Convertio processes them all into G3 simultaneously, saving you time.

How long does XWD to G3 conversion take?

Most XWD to G3 conversions complete within a few seconds. The lightweight nature of XWD images means fast processing times.