What happens when you convert AI to EPS
- The AI is read by Ghostscript, the standard open-source PostScript interpreter, on our conversion server and the first page is written as an EPS the size of the artwork.
- Vector shapes and text stay vectors, so the result is as sharp as the original at any size.
- Ghostscript reads the PDF part that Illustrator saves inside an AI file. An AI saved with "Create PDF Compatible File" turned off has no such part, and gives only a page saying so; resave it with that option on.
- This conversion runs on our server: the file is uploaded, converted, and deleted together with the result as soon as the result has been sent back to you. Nothing is kept. Files up to 25 MB are accepted.
How to convert AI to EPS online
- Press "Choose AI files" and select one or more files, or drag them onto the box. Files up to 25 MB each can be converted.
- There are no settings to choose: the converter keeps everything the target format can hold.
- Press "Convert to EPS". The file is uploaded to our conversion server, converted in a few seconds, and deleted together with the result as soon as the result is sent back.
- Save each EPS with its download button. Our server has already deleted both your AI and the EPS by then.
Why convert AI to EPS?
AI files usually come from logos, illustrations and print artwork made in Illustrator. People convert them to EPS because EPS is what many printers, sign makers and older design software still ask for when you send artwork.
In short, AI is good at what it was made for, and EPS is the more practical choice when the file has to open, upload or print somewhere else. AI does not open in browsers; Illustrator opens it, and Inkscape, Affinity Designer and CorelDRAW import most AI files, while EPS does not open in browsers; Illustrator, Inkscape and Affinity Designer open it, and macOS Preview converts it to PDF.
How to convert AI to EPS on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android
On Windows
Open this page in Chrome, Edge or Firefox, drag your AI files in from File Explorer, and press Convert. Each EPS is saved to your Downloads folder.
On a Mac
Safari, Chrome and Firefox all work. Drag the AI files from Finder onto the drop zone and the EPS files land in Downloads.
On iPhone and iPad
Open the page in Safari and tap Choose AI files. You can pick from Photos or from the Files app. The converted EPS appears in Files, in the Downloads folder; to put it in your photo library, open it there, tap Share and choose Save Image.
On Android
Open the page in Chrome, tap Choose AI files and pick them from Files or your gallery. The EPS is saved to the Download folder, where any file manager can find it.
Best settings for AI to EPS
There are no settings: the first page is written as an EPS with its vectors and text intact.
EPS is what many printers, sign makers and older layout programs ask for when they want artwork.
AI vs EPS: the differences
| AI | EPS | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Adobe Illustrator artwork | Encapsulated PostScript |
| Type | image | image |
| Created by | Adobe | Adobe |
| First released | 1987 | 1987 |
| Compression | Lossless | Lossless |
| Transparency | Yes | No |
| Animation | No | No |
| Vector or raster | Vector | Vector |
| Colour | vector artwork in CMYK or RGB, which can also hold raster images | vector drawing, which can also hold raster images |
| In a browser | does not open in browsers; Illustrator opens it, and Inkscape, Affinity Designer and CorelDRAW import most AI files | does not open in browsers; Illustrator, Inkscape and Affinity Designer open it, and macOS Preview converts it to PDF |
| Common uses | logos, illustrations and print artwork made in Illustrator | logos and artwork for print, and stock vector graphics |
| MIME type | application/postscript | application/postscript |
About AI and EPS files
What is an AI file?
Since Illustrator 9 an AI file is a PDF with Illustrator's own editing data added, which is why other programs can open it at all. A file saved with "Create PDF Compatible File" turned off has no PDF part, and only Illustrator can read it.
What is an EPS file?
An EPS is a small PostScript program that draws one page of artwork, with a bounding box so it can be placed inside other documents. Printers and designers still ask for it, but it is gradually being replaced by PDF and SVG.
AI to EPS not working? Common problems
- "Files up to 25 MB can be converted." Server conversions have a size limit. Compress the images inside the file, or split it, and try again.
- "The conversion took too long and was stopped." Very long or complex files can pass the 90 second limit. Split the file and convert the parts.
- The AI will not convert. It may be damaged, or try to do something the converter blocks for safety, such as reading other files.
Convert AI to EPS from the command line
This page uses Ghostscript, which is free for Windows, Mac and Linux. The same conversion from the command line:
gs -dSAFER -dBATCH -dNOPAUSE -sDEVICE=eps2write -dFirstPage=1 -dLastPage=1 -sOutputFile=output.eps input.aiConverting on your own computer keeps the file entirely local, which is worth it for very large or very sensitive documents. For everything else, the converter on this page does it without installing anything.
AI to EPS converter FAQ
Will I lose quality converting AI to EPS?
No. Vector artwork and text stay vectors, so nothing is lost at any size.
Why is the EPS a different size from the AI?
Both store vector drawing instructions, so the EPS is usually of a similar size to the AI; embedded images and fonts make the biggest difference.
Are my AI files uploaded?
Yes, for this conversion. A faithful AI to EPS conversion needs Ghostscript, the open-source PostScript interpreter, which cannot run in a browser. The file travels over an encrypted connection, is converted in a private temporary folder, and is deleted together with the EPS as soon as the result has been sent back to you. We do not keep, read or share it.
Can I convert several AI files to EPS at once?
Yes. Select or drop as many files as you like; they are converted one after another and each gets its own download button.
How do I open an EPS file?
EPS does not open in browsers; Illustrator, Inkscape and Affinity Designer open it, and macOS Preview converts it to PDF. EPS is common for logos and artwork for print, and stock vector graphics.
Is this AI to EPS converter free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no watermark. Because this conversion uses our server, there is a fair-use limit of 25 MB per file and a number of files per hour, which stops the service being overloaded.
Can I convert AI to EPS on my phone?
Yes. It works in Safari on iPhone and iPad and in Chrome on Android. The conversion happens on our server, so it is as fast on a phone as on a computer; the EPS is saved to your Downloads folder.