PCX to WebP Converter
Convert PCX to WebP in your browser. PCX files usually come from DOS paint programs (PC Paintbrush, Deluxe Paint), old games, and fax and scanner software; WebP is the better fit for images on websites and in apps. You get a lossy WebP at the quality you choose (lossless under More options), keeping transparency. 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 WebP
- 1
Add your PCX files: drop them here, choose them, or paste from the clipboard.
- 2
Set the quality. 80 to 85 is visually close to the original for most photos.
- 3
Click Convert. Each file is decoded and encoded in a background thread on this device.
- 4
Download the .webp files one at a time or together as a ZIP.
Why use Aback Images for pcx to webp
Where the WebP goes next
WebP opens in every current browser, Windows, macOS, Android, and recent Photoshop, GIMP and Affinity.
WebP next to PCX
A lossy WebP 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 WebP
What changes from PCX to WebP
Encoding: the PCX uses byte-wise run-length encoding; WebP uses lossy VP8 coding or lossless VP8L, and the download is a lossy WebP at the quality you choose (lossless under More options), keeping transparency.
Bit depth: 1, 2, 4 or 8 bits per pixel with a palette, or 24-bit as three 8-bit planes in the PCX; WebP allows 8 bits per channel, and the WebP written here has 8 bits per channel.
Colour: a 16 or 256-colour palette, or 24-bit RGB in the PCX; WebP supports RGB; lossy WebP stores colour at half resolution (4:2:0), written here as 8-bit sRGB.
Metadata: the PCX can carry only a 128-byte header with the resolution; WebP can carry EXIF, XMP and ICC chunks, 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 WebP
WebP is Google's web image format. It supports lossy and lossless compression, transparency and animation, and is typically 25 to 35 percent smaller than JPEG at the same visual quality.
A WebP is a RIFF file: 'RIFF', a length, 'WEBP', then chunks. A simple lossy file is one VP8 chunk and a lossless one is VP8L; the extended VP8X header announces alpha, animation, ICC, EXIF or XMP chunks.
When converting PCX to WebP makes sense
WebP is the better choice for images on websites and in apps, while PCX suits DOS-era software, retro games and old fax or scanner tools.
WebP strengths: 25-35% smaller than JPEG; Transparency and animation in one format; Supported by every modern browser. Drawbacks to weigh: Some older desktop apps and photo printers cannot open it; Max 16383 px per side.
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.
- A few older desktop apps, print services and upload forms still reject WebP; keep a JPG or PNG copy for those.
- WebP images are limited to 16383 pixels on each side.
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Frequently asked questions
Does converting PCX to WebP lose quality?
WebP is lossy, so detail the eye barely notices is discarded to save space.
What quality should I choose for WebP?
80 to 85 is visually close to the original for most photos. Go lower for thumbnails, or switch on Lossless under More options for screenshots and graphics.
Which apps open WebP files?
Every current browser, Windows, macOS, Android, and recent Photoshop, GIMP and Affinity.
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.