PCX to JXL Converter
Convert PCX to JXL in your browser. PCX files usually come from DOS paint programs (PC Paintbrush, Deluxe Paint), old games, and fax and scanner software; JXL is the better fit for archiving and future-proof high quality storage. You get a JPEG XL encoded with libjxl compiled to WebAssembly, lossy at the quality you choose or lossless. Nothing is uploaded.
- Processed locally
- No upload, no wait
- No sign-up
- No watermark
Drop images here
or choose files · paste with Ctrl/⌘ V
PCX expected · other image formats also work
How to use PCX to JXL
- 1
Add your PCX files: drop them here, choose them, or paste from the clipboard.
- 2
Set the quality.
- 3
Click Convert. Each file is decoded and encoded in a background thread on this device.
- 4
Download the .jxl files one at a time or together as a ZIP.
Why use Aback Images for pcx to jxl
Where the JXL goes next
JXL opens in Safari 17+, macOS 14 and iOS 17, GIMP, Krita, ImageMagick and the libjxl tools.
JXL next to PCX
A lossy JXL usually comes out far smaller than the PCX, which stores byte-wise run-length encoding.
The first lossy pass
The PCX holds 1, 2, 4 or 8 bits per pixel with a palette, or 24-bit as three 8-bit planes with nothing discarded yet. This conversion is the first lossy encode these pixels see, and hard edges and flat colour show it first.
Processed on your device
Your images are decoded, edited and encoded inside this browser tab by Web Workers. Nothing is uploaded to a server.
PCX vs JXL
What changes from PCX to JXL
Encoding: the PCX uses byte-wise run-length encoding; JXL uses lossy VarDCT or lossless modular coding; existing JPEGs can be repacked without loss, and the download is a JPEG XL encoded with libjxl compiled to WebAssembly, lossy at the quality you choose or lossless.
Bit depth: 1, 2, 4 or 8 bits per pixel with a palette, or 24-bit as three 8-bit planes in the PCX; JXL allows 8 to 16 bits per channel, or floating point, and the JXL written here has 8 bits per channel.
Colour: a 16 or 256-colour palette, or 24-bit RGB in the PCX; JXL supports sRGB, Display P3, linear and other spaces described in the codestream, written here as 8-bit sRGB.
Metadata: the PCX can carry only a 128-byte header with the resolution; JXL can carry EXIF and XMP boxes in the container form, often stripped by encoders, but nothing is copied across.
About PCX
PCX is the image format of ZSoft's PC Paintbrush, the standard for DOS paint programs, scanners and games before GIF and BMP took over. It compresses with a simple run-length scheme.
A PCX file has a 128-byte header (the byte 0x0A, version, encoding, bits per pixel, image window, DPI, a 16-colour palette and the number of colour planes), then RLE-compressed scanlines; 256-colour files end with the byte 0x0C and a 768-byte palette.
PCX files usually come from DOS paint programs (PC Paintbrush, Deluxe Paint), old games, and fax and scanner software.
About JXL
JPEG XL is a next-generation format designed to replace JPEG. It compresses better than JPEG and WebP, supports lossless, HDR and progressive decoding, and can losslessly repack existing JPEGs.
A JPEG XL file is either a bare codestream starting with FF 0A or an ISO base media container whose 'jxlc' box holds the codestream. A recompressed JPEG keeps a 'jbrd' box that lets the original JPEG bytes be rebuilt exactly.
When converting PCX to JXL makes sense
JXL is the better choice for archiving and future-proof high quality storage, while PCX suits DOS-era software, retro games and old fax or scanner tools.
JXL strengths: Excellent lossy and lossless compression; Progressive decoding and HDR; Huge image sizes. Drawbacks to weigh: Browser support is limited (Safari only by default); Few apps can open it yet.
Limitations
- DOS art was often drawn for 320×200 screens shown at 4:3, where pixels were slightly taller than wide, so it can look a little squashed on a modern display.
- A palette PCX holds at most 256 colours, so a full-colour target keeps them exactly but adds nothing.
- Chrome and Firefox do not display JPEG XL by default, so it is not yet a format for websites; it suits archives and apps that support it.
- Lossless JPEG XL is usually smaller than PNG for the same pixels.
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Frequently asked questions
Does converting PCX to JXL lose quality?
JXL is lossy, so detail the eye barely notices is discarded to save space.
Which apps open JXL files?
Safari 17+, macOS 14 and iOS 17, GIMP, Krita, ImageMagick and the libjxl tools. It opens in Safari 17 and later; Chrome and Firefox do not display it by default.
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.