XPM to WebP Converter
Convert XPM to WebP in your browser. XPM files usually come from Linux and X11 application icons, window manager themes and older GTK and Motif programs; 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
XPM expected · other image formats also work
How to use XPM to WebP
- 1
Add your XPM 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 xpm 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 XPM
A lossy WebP usually comes out far smaller than the XPM, which stores none: each pixel is one or more characters in C strings.
The first lossy pass
The XPM holds a palette; characters per pixel set how many colours fit 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.
XPM vs WebP
What changes from XPM to WebP
Encoding: the XPM uses none: each pixel is one or more characters in C strings; 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: a palette; characters per pixel set how many colours fit in the XPM; WebP allows 8 bits per channel, and the WebP written here has 8 bits per channel.
Colour: a palette of named or hex colours in the XPM; WebP supports RGB; lossy WebP stores colour at half resolution (4:2:0), written here as 8-bit sRGB.
Transparency: the XPM stores it as a palette entry named 'None', which is fully transparent; the WebP keeps it as a separate alpha plane, available in lossy as well as lossless files.
Metadata: the XPM can carry comments and an optional hotspot in the values line; WebP can carry EXIF, XMP and ICC chunks, but nothing is copied across.
About XPM
XPM is the colour icon format of the X Window System, written as C source with a table that maps characters to colours. It remains in use for Linux application icons and in some toolkits.
An XPM file is a C array of strings: a values line (width, height, number of colours, characters per pixel), one line per colour mapping characters to a colour such as 'c #FF0000' or 'c None', then one string per row of pixels.
XPM files usually come from Linux and X11 application icons, window manager themes and older GTK and Motif programs.
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 XPM to WebP makes sense
WebP is the better choice for images on websites and in apps, while XPM suits X11 and Linux application icons.
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
- XPM transparency is all or nothing (a single 'None' colour), so edges are hard rather than anti-aliased.
- 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 XPM to WebP lose quality?
WebP is lossy, so detail the eye barely notices is discarded to save space.
Is transparency kept in the WebP?
Yes. XPM stores it as a palette entry named 'None', which is fully transparent, and the WebP is written with an alpha channel, so transparent areas stay transparent.
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.