BMP to PCX Converter

Free online BMP to PCX converter with instant results

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Size Reduction

BMP files are bulky due to zero compression — converting to PCX typically produces dramatically smaller files without meaningful quality loss.

Fast Processing

BMP to PCX conversion typically completes in seconds. Upload your file, choose the format, and download the result almost instantly.

Any Device, Any OS

Run BMP to PCX conversion on desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Works on every operating system with a modern web browser.

How to convert BMP to PCX

1

Select files from Computer, Google Drive, Dropbox, URL or by dragging it on the page.

2

Choose pcx or any other format you need as a result (more than 200 formats supported)

3

Let the file convert and you can download your pcx file right afterwards

About formats

BMP (Bitmap) is a raster image file format developed by Microsoft for the Windows operating system, introduced with Windows 3.0 in 1990. The format stores pixel data in a straightforward structure: a file header specifying dimensions, color depth, and compression method, followed by an optional color palette and then the raw pixel array. BMP supports color depths from 1-bit monochrome through 4-bit and 8-bit indexed color to 16-bit, 24-bit true color, and 32-bit with alpha channel. Most BMP files store pixels uncompressed (BI_RGB), though optional RLE compression is available for 4-bit and 8-bit modes. Pixels are arranged in bottom-up row order by default, with each row padded to a 4-byte boundary. One advantage is absolute simplicity — the format has no complex encoding, filtering, or compression layers, making BMP files trivial to read and write programmatically in any language. This simplicity also means BMP images render with zero decoding overhead, useful in scenarios where decompression latency matters. The format's deep Windows integration is another strength: BMP is the native bitmap format for Windows GDI, clipboard operations, and device-independent bitmap (DIB) handling, ensuring first-class support across the entire Windows ecosystem. While BMP's lack of compression produces large files unsuitable for web use or storage-constrained environments, it remains widely used as an intermediate format in image processing, as a clipboard exchange format, and in embedded systems where decoding simplicity outweighs file size.
Developer: Microsoft
Initial release: 1990
PCX (PiCture eXchange) is a raster image format created by ZSoft Corporation in 1985 as the native format of their PC Paintbrush application, one of the first painting programs for IBM PC compatibles. The format uses a simple run-length encoding (RLE) compression scheme that works by replacing consecutive identical pixel values with a count-value pair, achieving modest compression on images with large areas of uniform color. A PCX file consists of a 128-byte header (specifying dimensions, color depth, palette information, DPI, and encoding method), the RLE-compressed pixel data organized in scan-line order, and an optional 256-color palette appended after the image data. The format evolved through several versions supporting increasing color depths: 1-bit monochrome, 4-bit (16 colors), 8-bit (256 colors), and 24-bit true color using multiple color planes. PCX became one of the most popular image formats during the DOS era, widely supported by paint programs, word processors, desktop publishers, and early games throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s. One advantage was broad DOS-era software compatibility — PCX served as a practical interchange format when competing programs used proprietary raster formats. The simplicity of RLE decoding is another strength, requiring minimal CPU and memory resources ideal for the hardware of that period. While PNG, JPEG, and other modern formats have replaced PCX in contemporary use, the format remains encountered in legacy archives and retro computing contexts.
Developer: ZSoft Corporation
Initial release: 1985

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert BMP to PCX?

PCX applies RLE compression to your BMP — compatible with legacy DOS applications, older scanners, and retro computing environments.

What programs open PCX files?

IrfanView, XnView, GIMP, Photoshop. Most modern operating systems also have built-in support or free viewer options available.

Are my files safe during conversion?

Convertio uses encrypted connections for all transfers. Your BMP uploads are deleted immediately after conversion, and PCX downloads are removed within 24 hours.

How long does BMP to PCX conversion take?

Most conversions complete within seconds. Processing time depends on file size and server load, but the entire workflow typically finishes in under a minute.

Is batch BMP to PCX conversion available?

Absolutely — upload multiple BMP files simultaneously and convert them all to PCX at once. Batch mode saves considerable time on repetitive conversions.

How much smaller will the PCX be?

Depending on image content and PCX compression, expect file sizes 50-95% smaller than the original BMP. Photographic content typically compresses the most.

BMP to PCX Quality Rating

4.8 (324 votes)
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