Convert PCX to PNG Online

Convert PCX to PNG - Complete Guide

Converting PCX to PNG stays in the raster image family but changes the traits that decide size, quality, transparency, editability, or device support. PCX is a image format. Paintbrush format. PNG is a lossless image format commonly used for screenshots, transparent graphics, logos, and high-quality web images. Below is what actually changes in a PCX→PNG conversion, what is preserved, and when PNG is the better choice than keeping PCX.

What changes when you convert PCX to PNG

• Both formats store data without lossy compression, so converting PCX to PNG preserves full quality.
• PNG supports transparency, but converting from PCX does not add it — areas that were solid in the PCX file stay solid.
• Expect a larger output file: PNG stores PCX content with less aggressive compression.

About the PCX format

PCX is a legacy format from PC Paintbrush. Convert PCX to modern formats for compatibility.

• Full name: PC Paintbrush Exchange
• Developer: ZSoft
• Introduced: 1985
• Compression: RLE
• Opens with: GIMP, IrfanView, XnView

Where PCX is strong: simple run-length encoding that legacy DOS tools read directly; lossless for flat low-color graphics.

Typical PCX uses: legacy DOS and PC Paintbrush images, old scanner and clip-art archives.

About the PNG format

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is a lossless image format that supports transparency. Our free PNG converter allows you to convert PNG files to JPG, WEBP, GIF, BMP, PDF, and many other formats. You can also convert any image format to PNG to take advantage of its transparency and lossless compression.

• Full name: Portable Network Graphics
• Developer: PNG Development Group
• Introduced: 1996
• Compression: Lossless (DEFLATE)
• Color depth: 24-bit (16 million colors) + 8-bit alpha
• Opens with: every browser, Photoshop, GIMP, Figma

Where PNG is strong: lossless quality with no compression artifacts; full alpha transparency; crisp text, screenshots, and line art.

Typical PNG uses: screenshots, logos and UI graphics, images that need transparent backgrounds.

What PNG keeps

• Full original quality — no lossy re-compression is applied.
• Image dimensions (width and height in pixels) stay the same unless you resize.
• PNG adds: lossless quality with no compression artifacts.

Things to watch out for

• One PNG limitation to keep in mind: larger files than JPG for photographs.

When to convert PCX to PNG

• Convert PCX to PNG for screenshots.
• Convert PCX to PNG for logos and UI graphics.
• Convert PCX to PNG for images that need transparent backgrounds.
• Choose PNG when a website, browser, or upload form rejects your PCX file.

PCX vs PNG — format comparison

A quick side-by-side of the structural differences between PCX and PNG, so you can confirm this is the right conversion for your file:

Privacy & Security

Files are handled for the conversion you request. Uploads and downloads use HTTPS/TLS, and temporary files are cleared after the processing and deletion window.

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