XWD to PCT Converter

Change XWD images to PCT — no downloads, works online

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No Install Required

The entire XWD to PCT conversion happens in your browser. No plugins, no desktop apps — just upload, convert, and download.

Batch Processing

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

Format Upgrade

Move from Unix workstation era XWD to the modern PCT format — enjoy legacy Macintosh image format and broad software compatibility.

How to convert XWD to PCT

1

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

2

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

3

Let the file convert and you can download your pct 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
PCT (also known as PICT) is a metafile graphics format originally developed by Apple Computer and introduced alongside the original Macintosh in January 1984. PCT files can contain both vector drawing commands and raster bitmap data, encoded as a sequence of QuickDraw drawing operations — the same graphics primitives used by the Macintosh operating system for all on-screen rendering. The format evolved through two major versions: PICT 1, which recorded basic QuickDraw operations (lines, rectangles, ovals, text, 1-bit bitmaps) in a compact format suitable for the original Macintosh's limited memory, and PICT 2, introduced with Color QuickDraw in 1987, which extended the format to support 24-bit color, multiple color spaces, and embedded JPEG-compressed data. PCT files begin with a 512-byte header (originally used for resource fork information), followed by the picture size, bounding rectangle, and a sequence of opcodes that define the drawing operations. During the Macintosh's commercial ascendancy, PICT was the universal graphics interchange format on Mac OS — the system clipboard used PICT for all graphical copy/paste operations, and most Mac applications could import and export the format. One advantage is the hybrid vector/raster nature: PCT files from the QuickDraw era preserve both scalable drawing commands and pixel data in a single format, enabling resolution-independent output for the vector portions. PICT's historical significance as the native Mac graphics format throughout the classic Mac OS era (1984-2001) provides another dimension. PCT files remain readable by Preview on macOS, ImageMagick, XnView, LibreOffice, and GIMP.
Developer: Apple Computer
Initial release: 1984

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would I convert XWD to PCT?

XWD originated in Unix/X11 screenshots and has narrow compatibility today. PCT offers legacy Macintosh image format — a far more practical choice for sharing.

What apps support PCT?

You can view PCT with macOS Preview (older versions), XnView, IrfanView, GIMP. These tools cover all major desktop and mobile platforms.

Are my uploaded files kept private?

Completely. Convertio removes uploaded XWD files right after conversion, and the PCT output is automatically deleted within 24 hours.

Is XWD to PCT conversion free?

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

Can I convert multiple XWD files to PCT at once?

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

What exactly is the XWD format?

The XWD format is a screen capture format from X Window System, rooted in Unix/X11 screenshots. Modern software rarely supports it natively, making conversion essential.