XCF Converter | FastConvert

How to convert files to XCF?

1

Upload your file

Click the 'Choose File' button or drag and drop your file into the upload area. Supported formats include PNG, JPG, WEBP and more.

2

Select the output format

Make sure XCF is selected as the conversion format. Adjust additional settings if needed.

3

Start the conversion process

Click the 'Convert' button and wait a few seconds. All conversions are performed on our servers.

4

Download the result

Once the process is complete, click the 'Download' button and save the file in XCF format.

Why choose our XCF converter?

We ensure quality, convenience, and support for all formats.

High-quality to XCF conversion

We guarantee precise to XCF file conversion without any loss of quality.

Support for multiple formats

You can convert your to XCF files from over 200 different formats, including images, documents, and more.

Compatible with all devices

Convert to XCF files from any device – whether it's a computer, tablet, or smartphone.

User-friendly interface

Our service is designed to make to XCF conversion easy for everyone in just a few simple steps.

Full data security

All files are transmitted and stored using advanced encryption technologies.

High-speed processing

Thanks to cloud technology, we ensure fast processing even for large to XCF files.

Convert to XCF: supported formats

Convert XCF to other formats

.XCF

XCF

eXperimental Computing Facility

Data type	Image
MIME type	image/x-xcf
Developer	The GIMP Development Team (GIMP Project)
Primary use cases	Saving and reopening GIMP projects with layers/masks/channels; storing intermediate editing states; archival for continued work in GIMP.

What is the XCF file format?

XCF is GIMP’s native layered project format that stores the full editable state of an image (layers, masks, channels, selections, paths, guides, etc.) for later editing.

XCF file characteristics

Data type	Image
MIME type	image/x-xcf
Compression	Lossless tile compression (RLE by default; optional zlib; uncompressed possible)
Color depth	Supports multiple precisions (stored in header field "precision" for XCF v4+): 8/16/32-bit integer (linear or gamma) and 16-bit floating point (and additional modes depending on version).
Color space	RGB, Grayscale, or Indexed; can include an embedded ICC profile (stored as a parasite named "icc-profile"). If no profile is set, sRGB is assumed.
Transparency support	Yes
Animation support	No
EXIF / Metadata support	No
Metadata	Stores GIMP project state: layers, layer masks, channels, selections, vector paths, guides, text info, and arbitrary “parasites” (including ICC profile). Not a standardized EXIF container.
Structure type	Binary structures linked by offsets (“pointers”); tile data blocks for each drawable are stored consecutively.
Standard / Specification	GIMP XCF format (official developer documentation; reference implementation is GIMP)
Typical file size	Often large: roughly scales with image dimensions × layers × bytes-per-channel (higher precision = much larger), plus overhead for masks/channels and project data.
Max file size	Older XCF variants were effectively limited by 32-bit offsets (~4 GB). Newer XCF versions support 64-bit offsets and can exceed 4 GB.
Year introduced	1997

Advantages

The XCF file format offers several advantages that make it suitable for common use cases.

Preserves (almost) everything about a GIMP project: layers, masks, channels, selections and more;
Lossless storage;
Supports high bit-depth/float precision;
Ideal for iterative editing.

Limitations

The XCF file format has certain limitations that may affect its use in specific scenarios.

XCF is tied to GIMP internals and is not a stable cross-app standard. Third-party readers may only partially support features (especially newer precisions/compression). For collaboration/interchange, exporting (PNG/TIFF/PSD) or using OpenRaster (ORA) may be more appropriate.

Compatibility

XCF images are widely supported and can be viewed on most devices and platforms.

Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Supported devices: Computers (desktop workflows)
Browser support: No
Mobile support: No
Backward compatibility: Yes

Security considerations

Treat XCF as untrusted input: it’s a complex, evolving binary format. Prefer opening unknown files in sandboxed environments and keep GIMP/decoders up to date.

License

Openly documented, but the format is “living” and the ultimate reference is GIMP’s source code

XCF is the native file format of GIMP, designed to store almost everything about a GIMP project for a single image (excluding undo history). It’s a binary format that begins with the magic string "gimp xcf " and a version tag, then stores the canvas and a set of internal structures for layers/channels, properties, and tiled pixel data. XCF is a “living” format tied to GIMP internals, optimized for reopening and continuing work in GIMP rather than for interchange or web delivery.

Convert to XCF online