XPM to TAR.GZ Converter
Processing entirely on your device — large files may take a moment.
TAR.GZ is what open-source projects and Linux servers expect to receive. If your files are still in XPM format, this page is the shortcut: 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.
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 XPM compares to TAR.GZ
| XPM | TAR.GZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | None (ASCII text) | gzip (DEFLATE) |
| Best for | Linux icons, X11 themes | Source releases and backups |
How to convert XPM to TAR.GZ
- 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 TAR.GZ container — no re-encoding, no quality change.
- 3
Download results
Download the finished TAR.GZ 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 TAR.GZ format
TAR.GZ is the classic Unix distribution shape: a TAR bundle squeezed through gzip (DEFLATE-based). Every Linux package of source code, every Apache tarball, every data-science dataset arrives this way. Decompression is a pipeline — untar the gzip stream — and the format is understood everywhere Unix ideas went.
gzip compresses the whole archive as one stream, which keeps ratio decent for text-heavy trees but means reaching file #400 requires decompressing the previous 399. Modern alternatives (zstd) are faster at similar ratios, yet tar.gz remains the safest common denominator.
+Strengths
- ✓Universally understood on Unix-like systems
- ✓Good ratio for text and source trees
- ✓Preserves Unix permissions via TAR
!Limitations
- −Single stream — no random access
- −Slower than modern zstd
- −Two-step format (tar + gzip)
Why convert XPM to TAR.GZ?
There is a concrete reason this conversion exists: 256 colors maximum TAR.GZ sidesteps that — Universally understood on Unix-like systems If that is your situation, the tool above settles it in seconds, entirely on your device.
Frequently asked questions
Is this XPM to TAR.GZ 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 TAR.GZ?
No — TAR.GZ 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.
Will transparent areas survive the conversion to TAR.GZ?
Transparency is kept whenever TAR.GZ actually supports an alpha channel. If the target format has none (like JPG), transparent areas are flattened onto a white background — that is a property of the format, not of this tool.
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.