What is a CUR file?
CUR stands for Windows cursor. It was created by Microsoft and first released in 1985. A CUR file is built like an ICO icon, with one addition: a hotspot, the exact pixel that does the clicking. Windows reads cursors from CUR files, and web pages can use them through the CSS cursor property.
| Type | image |
|---|---|
| Compression | Lossless |
| Colour | up to 32-bit colour with alpha, usually 32 by 32 or 48 by 48 pixels |
| Transparency | Yes |
| Animation | No |
| In a browser | used by Windows as a mouse pointer; browsers accept it in the CSS cursor property |
| Common uses | custom mouse pointers for Windows and for websites |
| MIME type | image/x-win-bitmap |
Which format should you convert CUR to?
- CUR to PNG for screenshots, logos and anything with transparency.
CUR is lossless, so converting it to a lossy format is where the file gets much smaller.
How to open a CUR file
Whether a CUR file opens with a double click depends on the device. Here is what works on each, without buying software:
| Windows | The Photos app opens common image formats. If CUR is not among them, a browser or a free viewer such as IrfanView will open it. |
|---|---|
| Mac | Preview opens most image formats and PDF files; Quick Look (press the space bar in Finder) shows a preview without opening an app. |
| iPhone and iPad | The Files app and Photos show common image types and PDF files. Other formats need an app, or converting here. |
| Android | Google Photos and Files by Google open common images and PDFs. Other formats need a viewer app, or converting here. |
| Web browser | CUR used by Windows as a mouse pointer; browsers accept it in the CSS cursor property. |
Want the technical details? See what a .cur file is, with its MIME type, file signature and a viewer.
CUR compared with other image formats
How CUR stacks up against the formats people most often convert it to or from:
| Format | Compression | Transparency | Released | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUR | Lossless | Yes | 1985 | custom mouse pointers for Windows and for websites |
| JPG | Lossy | No | 1992 | camera photos, web images and email attachments |
| PNG | Lossless | Yes | 1996 | screenshots, logos, diagrams and anything with transparency |
| WebP | Either | Yes | 2010 | images served by websites to save bandwidth |
| HEIC | Lossy | Yes | 2017 | photos taken on iPhones and iPads since iOS 11 |
How to use the CUR converter
- Choose the format you want in the Convert to menu.
- Drop your CUR files on the box, or press Choose CUR files. Several files can go in at once.
- Adjust the settings if you need to; the defaults suit most people.
- Press Convert and save each file with its Download button. Nothing is uploaded at any point.
Tips for converting CUR files without losing quality
CUR is lossless, so it is a good source for any conversion. Converting it to a lossy format is where the file gets much smaller, and converting it to another lossless format keeps every pixel.
- Choose by content: photos belong in JPG or WebP, while screenshots, logos and anything with transparency belong in PNG or WebP.
- Resize before you send. A modern phone photo is far wider than any screen, and scaling it to 1920 pixels removes most of the file size.
- Keep originals. Re-saving a JPG again and again slowly degrades it; convert from the original each time.
- Converting through the browser removes EXIF metadata such as GPS location, which is useful when sharing photos publicly.
Convert CUR files from the command line
Everything this page does can also be done in a terminal. The most common CUR conversion, to PNG, looks like this with ImageMagick:
magick input.cur output.pngChange the output extension to pick another format. The converter above runs the same kind of conversion inside your browser, so you get the result without installing anything.
CUR converter FAQ
What is a CUR file?
CUR stands for Windows cursor, an image format created by Microsoft in 1985. A CUR file is built like an ICO icon, with one addition: a hotspot, the exact pixel that does the clicking. Windows reads cursors from CUR files, and web pages can use them through the CSS cursor property.
How do I open a CUR file?
CUR used by Windows as a mouse pointer; browsers accept it in the CSS cursor property. If the program you need will not open it, convert it to a more widely supported format above.
What is the most common CUR conversion?
CUR to PNG is the conversion people search for most. The image is decoded and written as a lossless 32-bit PNG.
Does converting CUR files here upload them?
No. Every conversion on this page runs inside your browser, so your CUR files never leave your device.
Is the CUR converter free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no watermark, and no limit on how many CUR files you convert. The site is supported by advertising.
Can I convert CUR files on iPhone or Android?
Yes. Open this page in Safari on iPhone and iPad, or in Chrome on Android, choose your CUR files and download the results to your Downloads folder.
Can I convert several CUR files at once?
Yes. Drop as many as you like; they are converted one after another, each with its own download button.