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PNG vs XBM

PNG vs XBM

A detailed comparison of PNG Image and X BitMap — file size, quality, compatibility, and which format to choose for your workflow.

Convert PNG → XBM Convert XBM → PNG
PNG

PNG Image

Raster & Vector Images

PNG is a lossless image format that supports transparency. It is ideal for graphics, logos, screenshots, and any image where preserving exact pixel data is important.

About PNG files
XBM

X BitMap

Raster & Vector Images

XBM (X BitMap) is a monochrome image format used in the X Window System for cursor and icon bitmaps. The format stores pixel data as C source code arrays, making it directly includable in X11 programs.

About XBM files

Strengths Comparison

PNG Strengths

  • Lossless compression — every save preserves the original pixels perfectly.
  • Full 8-bit alpha channel for smooth transparency.
  • Excellent for text, UI screenshots, logos, and line art.
  • Royalty-free and an ISO standard (ISO/IEC 15948).
  • Supports 16-bit color depth for high-fidelity work.

XBM Strengths

  • Valid C source — embeddable.
  • Text-editable.
  • Tiny files.
  • X11-native since 1989.

Limitations

PNG Limitations

  • Much larger than JPEG for photographs (no perceptual compression).
  • No native animation in most software (APNG support is inconsistent).
  • No CMYK support — web and screen only, not print.
  • Metadata capabilities are less rich than JPEG's EXIF.

XBM Limitations

  • 1-bit monochrome only.
  • Legacy — modern UIs use PNG/SVG.
  • No compression.

Technical Specifications

Specification PNG XBM
MIME type image/png image/x-xbitmap
Compression Lossless — DEFLATE (zlib) —
Color depth 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16 bits per channel —
Max dimensions 2^31 − 1 pixels per side (2.1 billion) —
Transparency Full 8-bit alpha channel —
Standard ISO/IEC 15948:2004 —
Extension — .xbm
Bit depth — 1-bit
Format — C source code

Typical File Sizes

PNG

  • Icon or small logo 2–20 KB
  • UI screenshot (1920×1080) 200–800 KB
  • High-res photo (12 MP) 10–30 MB
  • Print-ready illustration 5–50 MB

XBM

  • Mouse cursor (16×16) < 1 KB

Ready to convert?

Convert between PNG and XBM online, free, and without installing anything. Encrypted upload, automatic deletion after 60 minutes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is a lossless raster image format created in 1996 as a patent-free alternative to GIF. It supports transparency, making it ideal for logos, icons, and web graphics.

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is a sem perdas raster image formato created in 1996 como um patent-free alternative to GIF. It suporta transparência, making it ideal para logos, icons, e web graphics.

PNG files open natively in all modern operating systems, web browsers, and image editors including Photoshop, GIMP, Paint.NET, and Canva.

PNG arquivos abrir natively in all moderno operating systems, web browsers, e image editors including Photoshop, GIMP, Paint.NET, e Canva.

WebP offers 26% smaller file sizes than PNG with equivalent quality. Use WebP for web delivery when browser support is sufficient. Use PNG when maximum compatibility or professional editing workflows are needed.

WebP oferece 26% smaller tamanho do arquivos than PNG com equivalent quality. usar WebP para web delivery when browser support is sufficient. usar PNG when máximo compatibilidade ou profissional editando workflows are needed.