JPEG to PCX

Upload a JPEG file and download it as PCX. Free to start.

Drop files here, or press Enter to choose them. Up to 50 MB per file.
Drop a JPEG file hereFree · up to 50 MB · 10 operations in total without an account · or paste with Ctrl+V
  • Sent over HTTPS · link expires in 24 h

How it works

  1. Step 1:

    Drop the JPEG file on the orange block above, or press “Choose JPEG”.

  2. Step 2:

    Press “Convert to PCX”. The block shows the progress while the server converts the file.

  3. Step 3:

    Press “Download” to save the PCX file. On Free the link works for 24 hours.

How JPEG to PCX conversion works

The JPEG Image format uses lossy DCT compression that permanently discards fine pixel detail to achieve small file sizes, ideal for photographs. Converting to PCX produces a document file that stores data in the PCX format. This embeds the raster image inside a document container, fixing its dimensions on the page. Metadata such as creation date is preserved where the target format supports it; features the target format cannot represent are dropped. This makes PCX the practical choice when the destination system requires it or when the original format is not supported by the target application. 1converter runs this conversion on the server: your file is uploaded encrypted over HTTPS, converted using trusted open-source libraries, and the output is held for 24 hours before automatic deletion.

Sources and specifications

Quality levels for JPEG → PCX

LevelFile sizeSpeed
Low qualitySmallest file, basic qualityVery smallVery fast
Medium qualityRecommendedBalanced size and qualityMediumFast
High qualityLarger file, great qualityLargeModerate
Maximum qualityLargest file, best possible qualityVery largeSlow

Image Tip: For photos, Medium quality offers the best balance. For graphics with text or sharp edges, use High or Maximum quality to preserve clarity.

When to convert

What the PCX file is good for and why people convert to it.

  • Produces a PCX bitmap that many legacy paint/view tools expect
  • Converts photographic JPEG pixels into a scanline RLE stream used by PCX
  • Preparing sprites or simple UI graphics for older DOS/Windows bitmap pipelines
  • Restoring or re-exporting assets where a PCX-only import is required

Where your file goes

  • It travels to our server over an encrypted HTTPS connection and is converted there.
  • The PCX file comes back as a private link. It stops working after 24 hours on Free and 7 days on paid plans, and then the files are deleted.
  • Want the file to stay on your device? Private Mode converts images right in the browser. Open Private Mode

Questions and answers

What people ask before converting JPEG to PCX.

Ask supportAll questions
Does converting JPEG to PCX keep the same visual quality?
JPEG is already lossy due to DCT compression, so any JPEG artifacts are baked into pixels. PCX typically stores pixels with RLE, so the result won’t “restore” lost detail—quality mainly depends on how the JPEG is mapped to the PCX bit depth.
Will the PCX file be larger or smaller than the JPEG?
It depends on content: PCX uses run-length encoding, which can be compact for flat areas and sprites, but can be larger for detailed photos compared to JPEG’s DCT efficiency. Dimensions stay the same, but compression behavior changes.
Is PCX more editable than JPEG?
PCX is a bitmap-oriented format and can be easier to work with in tools that expect indexed or raw-like bitmaps. JPEG’s DCT compression isn’t directly editable without re-encoding, so edits typically reintroduce loss.
Are there compatibility limitations for PCX?
PCX is widely supported by legacy graphics software, but not all modern apps handle every PCX variant (especially different color depths). Choose the PCX bit depth that matches the target tool’s requirements.

Many files at once? Starter converts 5 at a time, 100 a day.

See plans