XWD to WMF Converter

Turn XWD images into scalable WMF vector format online

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Batch Processing

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

Cross-Platform Access

Whether you are on a desktop, tablet, or phone — convert XWD to WMF from any device with a modern web browser.

Lightning Fast

XWD files are small and convert to WMF in seconds. The cloud-based engine handles the transformation quickly so you can download right away.

How to convert XWD to WMF

1

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

2

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

3

Let the file convert and you can download your wmf 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
WMF (Windows Metafile) is a vector graphics format created by Microsoft, introduced with Windows 3.0 in May 1990 as the platform's native format for recording and replaying graphical operations. A WMF file captures a sequence of GDI (Graphics Device Interface) drawing commands — lines, rectangles, ellipses, polygons, text, and bitmap blits — in the order they were issued, serializing screen or printer output into a replayable file. The format uses a 16-bit coordinate space and organizes records as a linear stream of function calls with their parameters, preceded by a header specifying the bounding rectangle and resolution. WMF became deeply integrated into the Windows ecosystem as the default format for clip art collections, Office document graphics, and clipboard vector interchange during the 1990s — Microsoft Office shipped with thousands of WMF clip art images that defined a visual era of desktop publishing. One advantage is pervasive compatibility: virtually every Windows application from the past three decades can render WMF content, making it one of the most widely supported vector formats in existence. The lightweight recording model is another strength — WMF files are compact and render quickly because they replay native system drawing calls rather than interpreting a complex graphics language. While 16-bit limitations and lack of transparency and Bezier curves led Microsoft to develop EMF as a 32-bit replacement, WMF files remain ubiquitous in legacy documents and across current Windows software.
Developer: Microsoft
Initial release: May 22, 1990

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would I convert XWD to WMF?

XWD is a legacy raster format from Unix/X11 screenshots. Converting to WMF gives you legacy Windows vector format — ideal for scalable graphics that stay sharp at any size.

What apps support WMF?

You can view WMF with Microsoft Office, LibreOffice, IrfanView, XnView. These tools cover all major desktop and mobile platforms.

What exactly is the XWD format?

XWD (screen capture format from X Window System) originated in Unix/X11 screenshots. It has very limited modern application support but can be converted to modern formats on Convertio.

What platforms support this XWD converter?

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

Is XWD to WMF conversion free?

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