XPM to 7Z Converter
Processing entirely on your device — large files may take a moment.
XPM (X11 Pixmap) is an image written as C source code — plain ASCII text that compilers and editors ingest directly, the classic icon format of Linux desktops and legacy X11 apps. 7Z is ideal for big archives you store or share with power users; convert to ZIP when the recipient just needs to double-click.
Because the whole conversion happens on your device, it is instant, unlimited and genuinely private — no accounts, no watermarks, no files on anyone's server. Multiple files are converted in one go.
How XPM compares to 7Z
| XPM | 7Z | |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | None (ASCII text) | LZMA / LZMA2 |
| Best for | Linux icons, X11 themes | Maximum compression, secure archives |
How to convert XPM to 7Z
- 1
Select your files
Select your XPM file — it never leaves your device.
- 2
Convert instantly
The engine packs the file, byte for byte, into a 7Z container — no re-encoding, no quality change.
- 3
Download results
Download the finished 7Z archive.
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)
About the 7Z format
7Z is the native format of Igor Pavlov's 7-Zip (1999), built around LZMA/LZMA2 compression — for years the ratio king against ZIP and RAR — with AES-256 encryption, solid archiving (similar files compress as one stream) and open, unpatented specifications. A 7Z of the same photos or code is routinely 20–40% smaller than its ZIP.
The trade-off is platform defaults: Windows Explorer and macOS Archive Utility do not open 7Z without third-party tools (7-Zip, PeaZip, Keka). It is the format for maximizing compression on your own terms, and for encrypted archives done properly (header encryption included).
+Strengths
- ✓Top-tier compression ratio (LZMA2)
- ✓Real AES-256 encryption, optional header encryption
- ✓Open format, free tooling everywhere
!Limitations
- −No native OS support — recipients need tools
- −Solid mode makes single-file extraction costly
Why convert XPM to 7Z?
Converting makes sense where the strengths of 7Z meet what XPM cannot give you. Top-tier compression ratio (LZMA2) Meanwhile 256 colors maximum One pass through the converter above puts your file on the right side of that trade-off.
Frequently asked questions
Is this XPM to 7Z 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 XPM to 7Z?
No — 7Z is a lossless format, so every pixel of the converted image matches your original XPM 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 XPM 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 XPM 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.