What is an XCF file?
XCF stands for GIMP image (eXperimental Computing Facility). It was created by the GIMP developers and first released in 1997. XCF is GIMP's own working format, named after the eXperimental Computing Facility at Berkeley where GIMP began. It saves everything GIMP knows about an image, layers, masks, paths and even the selection, but it is not meant for sharing: almost nothing else opens it.
| Type | image |
|---|---|
| Compression | Lossless |
| Colour | 8 to 32 bits per channel with alpha, in RGB or greyscale |
| Transparency | Yes |
| Animation | No |
| In a browser | does not open in browsers; GIMP opens it, and a few editors such as Krita and Photopea read simple XCF files |
| Common uses | work in progress saved from GIMP, the free image editor |
| MIME type | image/x-xcf |
Which format should you convert XCF to?
- XCF to JPG for photos that must open everywhere and stay small.
- XCF to PNG for screenshots, logos and anything with transparency.
- XCF to PDF to print, or to attach as a document.
XCF is lossless, so converting it to a lossy format is where the file gets much smaller.
How to open an XCF file
An XCF file does not open in a web browser, and only some devices have a program for it. Here is what works on each. If none of these is to hand, converting the file to PNG here is the quickest way to see what is inside it.
| Windows | GIMP (free) opens it with every layer; Krita reads simple XCF files. |
|---|---|
| Mac | GIMP (free) opens it with every layer. |
| iPhone and iPad | iPhone and iPad have no app for XCF. Convert it to PNG or JPG here to view it. |
| Android | Android has no common app for XCF. Convert it to PNG or JPG here to view it. |
Want the technical details? See what a .xcf file is, with its MIME type, file signature and a viewer.
XCF compared with other image formats
How XCF stacks up against the formats people most often convert it to or from:
| Format | Compression | Transparency | Released | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XCF | Lossless | Yes | 1997 | work in progress saved from GIMP, the free image editor |
| 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 XCF converter
- Choose the format you want in the Convert to menu.
- Drop your XCF files on the box, or press Choose XCF 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. The file is converted on our server and deleted as soon as the result is sent back.
Tips for converting XCF files without losing quality
XCF 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.
- Keep the original file. It holds the layers, masks or raw data that a converted image does not, and you can always convert from it again.
- Choose PNG for artwork, screenshots and anything with sharp edges, and JPG for photos that must be small.
- Converted images are flattened: layers, adjustments and editable text become pixels, so make changes in the original and convert again.
- The server accepts files up to 25 MB; save very large files at a smaller size first.
Convert XCF files from the command line
GIMP can do the same from the command line, without opening a window:
gimp-console -i -b '(let* ((img (car (gimp-file-load 1 "input.xcf" "input.xcf"))) (d (car (gimp-image-flatten img)))) (file-png-save-defaults 1 img d "output.png" "output.png") (gimp-quit 0))'Converting 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.
XCF converter FAQ
What is an XCF file?
XCF stands for GIMP image (eXperimental Computing Facility), an image format created by the GIMP developers in 1997. XCF is GIMP's own working format, named after the eXperimental Computing Facility at Berkeley where GIMP began. It saves everything GIMP knows about an image, layers, masks, paths and even the selection, but it is not meant for sharing: almost nothing else opens it.
How do I open an XCF file?
XCF does not open in browsers; GIMP opens it, and a few editors such as Krita and Photopea read simple XCF files. If the program you need will not open it, convert it to a more widely supported format above.
What is the most common XCF conversion?
XCF to BMP is the conversion people search for most. The XCF is opened by GIMP, the open-source image editor that made it, on our conversion server, and its visible layers are flattened into one picture on a white background, with their opacity and blend modes applied.
Does converting XCF files here upload them?
Yes. XCF conversions need GIMP and ImageMagick, open-source programs that cannot run in a browser, so they run on our conversion 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.
Is the XCF converter free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no watermark. Conversions that use our server accept files up to 25 MB, with a fair-use limit per hour. The site is supported by advertising.
Can I convert XCF files on iPhone or Android?
Yes. Open this page in Safari on iPhone and iPad, or in Chrome on Android, choose your XCF files and download the results to your Downloads folder.
Can I convert several XCF files at once?
Yes. Drop as many as you like; they are converted one after another, each with its own download button.