PNG vs XPM — Differences, File Size & When to Use Each

PNG vs XPM

Ein detaillierter Vergleich von PNG Image und X PixMap — Dateigröße, Qualität, Kompatibilität und welches je nach Workflow zu wählen ist.

PNG → XPM umwandeln XPM → PNG umwandeln

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.

Über PNG-Dateien

XPM

X PixMap

Raster & Vector Images

XPM (X PixMap) is a color image format for the X Window System that stores pixel data as ASCII text with a color palette. Unlike XBM, it supports full color and transparency through a simple text-based representation.

Über XPM-Dateien

Vorteilsvergleich

PNG Vorteile

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.

XPM Vorteile

Valid C source — directly embeddable in code.
Text-editable in any editor.
Transparency via "None" color value.
Stable since 1989 with no breaking changes.

Einschränkungen

PNG Einschränkungen

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.

XPM Einschränkungen

Enormous file sizes vs compressed formats.
Only useful within X11 / legacy Unix GUI ecosystem.
Limited color palette in classic form (256 colors max practical).
Superseded by PNG and SVG for modern UI.

Technische Spezifikationen

Spezifikation	PNG	XPM
MIME type	image/png	image/x-xpixmap
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	—	.xpm
Encoding	—	ASCII text (valid C source)
Native environment	—	X Window System (X11)
Predecessor	—	.xbm (X Bitmap, 1-bit)

Typische Dateigrößen

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

XPM

Small icon (32×32, 16 colors) 2-5 KB
Toolbar button set 10-50 KB

Bereit zum Umwandeln?

Wandle zwischen PNG und XPM online um, kostenlos und ohne Installation. Verschlüsselter Upload, automatische Löschung in 60 Minuten.

PNG zu XPM umwandeln XPM zu PNG umwandeln

Häufig gestellte Fragen

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.