TIFF to PCX Converter

Convert TIFF to PCX free — classic PC bitmap

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Legacy Format

PCX connects TIFF images to classic PC graphics software.

Online Conversion

No legacy tools needed — convert TIFF to PCX in your browser.

Fast Processing

PCX encoding with RLE compression runs quickly.

How to convert TIFF 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

TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) is a flexible raster image format originally developed by Aldus Corporation (later acquired by Adobe) in October 1986 for desktop publishing and scanning applications. The format uses a tagged data structure where the image file header points to one or more Image File Directories (IFDs), each containing a set of tags that describe the image's dimensions, color space, compression, resolution, and other properties. This extensible architecture means TIFF can accommodate virtually any image type: 1-bit bilevel, grayscale, indexed color, RGB, CMYK, CIE L*a*b*, and beyond, at any bit depth from 1 to 64 bits per sample. TIFF supports multiple compression methods including none (uncompressed), LZW, DEFLATE, JPEG, and CCITT Group 3/4 fax compression, as well as multi-page documents, tiled storage for efficient random access to large images, and floating-point pixel values for HDR content. One advantage is professional-grade flexibility — TIFF handles the full range of image types encountered in publishing, prepress, medical imaging, geospatial analysis, and scientific research, where specialized color spaces and high bit depths are required. Lossless archival quality is another core strength: TIFF with no compression or LZW/DEFLATE preserves every pixel value exactly, making it the standard archival format for libraries, museums, and any institution that requires guaranteed long-term image fidelity. TIFF is supported by every major image editing, scanning, and publishing application across all platforms.
Developer: Aldus / Adobe
Initial release: October 1986
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 TIFF to PCX?

PCX is a classic PC Paintbrush format recognized by legacy DOS and early Windows graphics software. Converting TIFF to PCX bridges images into retro workflows.

What programs open PCX files?

IrfanView, XnView, GIMP, and most legacy PC graphics editors handle PCX natively. The format uses simple RLE compression, easy to decode anywhere.

Does PCX preserve the full color depth of TIFF?

PCX supports up to 24-bit true color, so standard TIFF images convert without color loss. High-bit-depth TIFF data is flattened to fit PCX specs.

Is TIFF to PCX conversion free?

Yes — standard TIFF to PCX conversions are free on convertio.co. Premium plans provide increased daily limits and priority access for larger batches.

Are my TIFF uploads safe during conversion?

Yes. Uploaded TIFF files are erased from servers as soon as conversion finishes. PCX output is automatically deleted within 24 hours for data protection.

TIFF to PCX Quality Rating

5.0 (19 votes)
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