XBM to APNG Converter
Processing entirely on your device — large files may take a moment.
Convert an animated GIF to APNG to keep smooth color and clean transparency while staying animated. If your files are still in XBM format, this page is the shortcut: XBM is a bitmap stored as C source code — literally an array of hex bytes that a C compiler includes. It was the original X11 icon format, and it still compiles.
This converter runs entirely in your browser using WebAssembly — your files never leave your device, nothing is uploaded, and there are no watermarks, sign-ups or queues. Drop in several files at once to convert them as a batch.
How XBM compares to APNG
| XBM | APNG | |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | C #defines + hex byte array | PNG frames + acTL/fcTL chunks |
| Types / schema | 1-bit, X11 bit order | True color + full alpha |
| Compatibility | X11, C compilers, GTK | Chrome, Firefox, Safari (all modern) |
| Best for | Compiled-in cursors and icons | High-quality animation on the web |
How to convert XBM to APNG
- 1
Select your files
Drag & drop your XBM 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 APNG". The conversion runs entirely inside your browser using WebAssembly — no upload, no queue, no waiting.
- 3
Download results
Download each converted APNG file individually, or grab everything at once as a ZIP archive.
About the XBM format
XBM is the most honest image format ever shipped: the "file" is a C source array of hex bytes, compiled straight into X11 applications as cursor and icon bitmaps. Rendered, it is 1-bit black and white — the ancestors of every pixel-art cursor you still use.
Because it compiles, XBM never died: firmware UIs, embedded icons and retro Unix tooling still want it. Converting a PNG down to XBM gives embeddable, compilable art; the other direction previews what the C array actually draws.
+Strengths
- ✓Compiles directly into C/C++ programs
- ✓Zero-payload format — text only
- ✓Still required by embedded and Unix tooling
!Limitations
- −1-bit black & white only
- −Human-hostile representation
- −X11 bit order trips up hand-rolled decoders
About the APNG format
APNG (Animated PNG) is what GIF should have been: the same PNG file format with an animation extension — every frame in full 24-bit color with 8-bit alpha, no 256-color palette, no binary transparency with jagged edges. All modern browsers render it natively.
GIF has one job APNG does better in every dimension: color fidelity and clean transparency for animation. Converting an animated GIF to APNG keeps every frame but upgrades color depth and kills the halo around transparent edges. The only cost is file size — true color costs bytes.
+Strengths
- ✓Full 24-bit color per frame (no 256-color palette)
- ✓8-bit alpha transparency — no jagged edges
- ✓Native rendering in every modern browser
!Limitations
- −Larger files than GIF for the same animation
- −Legacy tools may show only the first frame
- −Not accepted by some social platforms
Why convert XBM to APNG?
Converting makes sense where the strengths of APNG meet what XBM cannot give you. Full 24-bit color per frame (no 256-color palette) Meanwhile 1-bit black & white only One pass through the converter above puts your file on the right side of that trade-off.
Frequently asked questions
Is this XBM to APNG 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 XBM to APNG?
No — APNG is a lossless format, so every pixel of the converted image matches your original XBM file. You can also adjust the quality/size balance before converting when the target format supports compression.
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 XBM files matters (camera model, GPS, timestamps), keep the original file as the master and treat the converted copy as the shareable version.
Can I convert several XBM 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.