XBM to XZ Converter
Processing entirely on your device — large files may take a moment.
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. Unpack XZ into ZIP/TAR for tools that cannot read LZMA2.
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 to convert XBM to XZ
- 1
Select your files
Select your XBM file.
- 2
Convert instantly
The file bytes are gzip-compressed in place — the same archive your server or build tool produces, made locally.
- 3
Download results
Download the .gz file — ready to upload, serve or attach.
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 XZ format
XZ wraps the LZMA2 algorithm: the best ratio of the common Unix compressors, which is why distribution packages and source releases pick it when bandwidth matters more than CPU.
Windows Explorer and many cross-platform tools cannot open it — unpacking to ZIP or TAR makes the payload portable.
+Strengths
- ✓Highest common ratio
- ✓Standard for Linux packages
- ✓Integrity checks built in
!Limitations
- −Memory-hungry at high settings
- −Sparse support outside Linux
Why convert XBM to XZ?
Think of it as moving your file to the container that fits the job. 1-bit black & white only XZ works differently: Highest common ratio If any of that sounds like your task, run the conversion — it takes seconds and nothing leaves your device.
Frequently asked questions
Is this XBM to XZ 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 XZ?
No — XZ 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 about folders and directory structure?
The full directory tree is preserved: folders stay folders, and deep paths arrive exactly as they were packed in the XBM file.
Is there a size limit for archive conversion?
There is no upload cap because nothing is uploaded — the practical limit is your device memory. A few hundred megabytes of unpacked content works comfortably on a modern computer.