CUR to PNG Converter
Convert CUR to PNG in your browser. CUR files usually come from custom Windows cursor packs and CSS cursor files; PNG is the better fit for screenshots, logos, graphics and anything that needs transparency. You get a lossless 8-bit PNG with full alpha. Nothing is uploaded.
- Processed locally
- No upload, no wait
- No sign-up
- No watermark
Drop images here
or choose files · paste with Ctrl/⌘ V
CUR expected · other image formats also work
How to use CUR to PNG
- 1
Add your CUR files: drop them here, choose them, or paste from the clipboard.
- 2
There is nothing to tune: the PNG is written losslessly. Resizing and rotating are under More options if you need them.
- 3
Click Convert. Each file is decoded and encoded in a background thread on this device.
- 4
Download the .png files one at a time or together as a ZIP.
Why use Aback Images for cur to png
Where the PNG goes next
PNG opens in every browser, operating system and image editor.
PNG next to CUR
Both sides are lossless, so the size depends on how well the PNG encoder handles this picture compared with the CUR's BMP or PNG images inside an icon directory.
Written without a lossy pass
The PNG is written losslessly, so the pixels decoded from the CUR arrive unchanged.
Processed on your device
Your images are decoded, edited and encoded inside this browser tab by Web Workers. Nothing is uploaded to a server.
CUR vs PNG
What changes from CUR to PNG
Encoding: the CUR uses BMP or PNG images inside an icon directory; PNG uses lossless DEFLATE with a prediction filter chosen per row, and the download is a lossless 8-bit PNG with full alpha.
Bit depth: 1 to 32 bits per pixel in the CUR; PNG allows 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16 bits per channel, and the PNG written here has 8 bits per channel.
Colour: RGB or a palette in the CUR; PNG supports RGB, greyscale, or an indexed palette of up to 256 colours, written here as 8-bit sRGB.
Transparency: the CUR stores it as 8-bit alpha in 32-bit entries, or a 1-bit mask; the PNG keeps it as a full alpha channel, so edges and shadows can fade smoothly.
Other images: the CUR can hold one or more cursor sizes; only the main image is converted.
Metadata: the CUR can carry only the hotspot coordinates; PNG can carry text chunks, an ICC profile, physical resolution and EXIF in an eXIf chunk, but nothing is copied across.
About CUR
CUR is the ICO container with a click hotspot, used for custom Windows mouse cursors and CSS cursors.
A CUR file has the same layout as an ICO, but its type field is 2 and each directory entry stores the hotspot (the pixel that registers the click) where an ICO stores colour planes and bit depth.
CUR files usually come from custom Windows cursor packs and CSS cursor files.
About PNG
PNG stores pixels losslessly with full alpha transparency. It is ideal for screenshots, logos, UI and anything with sharp edges, but photos saved as PNG are several times larger than JPEG.
A PNG opens with an 8-byte signature and is a chain of chunks, each with its own CRC: IHDR (size, depth, colour type), optional PLTE and tRNS for palettes, one or more IDAT chunks with the compressed rows, and IEND.
When converting CUR to PNG makes sense
PNG is the better choice for screenshots, logos, graphics and anything that needs transparency, while CUR suits custom mouse cursors.
PNG strengths: Lossless: no quality loss, ever; Full transparency with smooth edges; Perfect for text, screenshots and graphics. Drawbacks to weigh: Large files for photographs; No standard animation (that is APNG).
Limitations
- The hotspot is cursor-only information and has no equivalent in an ordinary image.
- A PNG of a photograph is often several times larger than a JPG; PNG pays off for screenshots, graphics and anything with transparency.
- The PNG is written in full colour; Compress PNG can shrink it further with a palette.
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Frequently asked questions
Does converting CUR to PNG lose quality?
PNG is written losslessly, so the pixels are stored exactly as decoded. Not carried over: any one or more cursor sizes.
Is transparency kept in the PNG?
Yes. CUR stores it as 8-bit alpha in 32-bit entries, or a 1-bit mask, and the PNG is written with an alpha channel, so transparent areas stay transparent.
Which apps open PNG files?
Every browser, operating system and image editor.
Are my images uploaded anywhere?
No. Processing happens inside your browser with WebAssembly and Web Workers. The site only downloads the app code and codecs; your files never leave your device. You can confirm this with the live upload counter on the tool, or in your browser's network panel.
Can I process many files at once?
Yes. Drop a whole selection or folder. Files are processed in parallel on several worker threads, each result can be downloaded on its own, and everything can be saved as one ZIP.
Is it free? Is there a file limit or watermark?
It is free with no account, no watermark and no daily limit. The only limit is your device's memory: very large images (over roughly 100 megapixels) may be refused to keep the tab from crashing.