CUR to XPM Converter
Processing entirely on your device — large files may take a moment.
CUR is the Windows cursor format — structurally an ICO file with a hotspot, holding small bitmap cursor images. Convert PNG or SVG output to XPM to feed icon themes and legacy toolkits.
iLoveConverter processes everything locally on your computer, which makes it private and fast: no upload wait, no server storage, no limits. Add as many files as you like — batch conversion is built in.
How CUR compares to XPM
| CUR | XPM | |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | BMP/PNG members (as ICO) | None (ASCII text) |
| Transparency | Supported | Single transparent color |
| Animation | No (that is .ani) | Not supported |
| Metadata | Hotspot coordinates | Not supported |
| Best for | Windows cursors and UI assets | Linux icons, X11 themes |
How to convert CUR to XPM
- 1
Select your files
Drag & drop your CUR files onto the area above, or click to browse. You can add multiple files at once for batch conversion.
- 2
Convert instantly
Click "Convert to XPM". The conversion runs entirely inside your browser using WebAssembly — no upload, no queue, no waiting.
- 3
Download results
Download each converted XPM file individually, or grab everything at once as a ZIP archive.
About the CUR format
CUR is the Windows cursor file: structurally identical to ICO (several small bitmap sizes bundled), with the addition of a hotspot coordinate that marks which pixel is the pointer's tip. Windows ships most of its system cursors as CUR files.
Designers customizing cursors or extracting UI assets meet CUR files that no modern image tool opens. Converting to PNG (the largest embedded size) makes them editable, viewable and reusable in web apps that implement custom cursors.
+Strengths
- ✓Windows cursor standard
- ✓Multiple sizes in one file
- ✓Hotspot data travels with the image
!Limitations
- −Tiny sizes only (usually ≤48px)
- −Meaningless outside cursor use
About the XPM format
XPM (X11 Pixmap) is an image format that is literally C source code: pixels are listed as character-to-color mappings inside an ASCII array. Compilers, text editors and version control all treat it as plain text, which is why Linux desktop icons and legacy X11 application assets have used it for decades.
XPM is limited to 256 colors per image and stores no alpha beyond a designated transparent character, so it is a niche target: mainly icon themes, window-manager decorations and retro programming projects.
+Strengths
- ✓Plain text — diffs and greps
- ✓Compiles straight into C programs
- ✓Tiny for small flat icons
!Limitations
- −256 colors maximum
- −Poor alpha (one transparent color)
Why convert CUR to XPM?
There is a concrete reason this conversion exists: Tiny sizes only (usually ≤48px) XPM sidesteps that — Plain text — diffs and greps If that is your situation, the tool above settles it in seconds, entirely on your device.
Frequently asked questions
Is this CUR to XPM converter really free?
Yes — completely free, with no sign-up, no watermark and no daily conversion limits. The site is supported by advertising.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. The conversion runs entirely inside your browser using WebAssembly, so your files never leave your device — that is what makes it instant and private.
Does it work on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android?
Yes. Anything with a modern browser works: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. No software installation is required.
Will I lose quality converting CUR to XPM?
No — XPM is a lossless format, so every pixel of the converted image matches your original CUR file. You can also adjust the quality/size balance before converting when the target format supports compression.
Can I convert several CUR files at once?
Yes — drop as many files as you like into the tool and they are converted in one batch. When more than one file comes out, everything is bundled into a ZIP for a single download.
What happens to EXIF data and other metadata?
Conversions here re-encode the image, and re-encoding generally does not carry the original metadata over. If the EXIF data of your CUR files matters (camera model, GPS, timestamps), keep the original file as the master and treat the converted copy as the shareable version.