Open .pes Embroidery Files Online
Drop a design, see the stitches and the size, save a picture.
Machine embroidery designs: .pes, .pec, .dst and .exp. Nothing is uploaded.
What a PES file is
A .pes file is a machine embroidery design from Brother and Babylock machines. Unlike a picture, it does not store pixels. It stores the stitches: where the needle goes, in which order, and where the thread colour changes. That is why one design can be sewn at a given size on a machine, and why it looks wrong if you open it as an image.
How to open it on Windows and Mac
- Embroidery software opens it: Brother PE-Design, Wilcom, Embrilliance and similar programs, on Windows and on Mac depending on the program.
- Ink/Stitch, a free extension for Inkscape, reads embroidery files too.
- Neither Windows nor macOS has a built-in viewer for PES, and Photos or Preview cannot show it.
- To see the design without any software, drop the file on this page.
When the free web viewer is enough
- You want to see what a design looks like before you put it on a machine or send it to a customer.
- The page draws the stitches and shows the size, the stitch count and the thread colours, and it also reads .pec, .dst and .exp files.
- You want a PNG of the design, with a transparent or white background, for a shop listing, a quote or a message.
- The file is read in your browser and never uploaded, so a design you made stays on your device.
When it is not enough
The page only reads the file. It does not change the design, resize it, convert it for a machine or save an embroidery file. Those jobs need your embroidery software, which also knows the hoop, the fabric and the machine you use. There is no LCTR Store app for embroidery files, so we do not point you to one. Use this page to look at the stitches and to share a picture, and use your embroidery program to edit, size and sew.
Tip before you stitch
Check the size and the stitch count against your hoop before you load a design. A dense design with a very high stitch count takes long to sew and can pucker light fabric, so a quick look here can save a test piece.
Save a .pes design as a picture
Open the design, choose a transparent or white background and press Save as PNG. Handy for listings, quotes and sharing a design without the file.
Private: nothing is uploaded
The design is read inside your browser. It is never sent to a server, so bought designs stay on your device.
Questions
How do I open a .pes file without embroidery software?
Drop it on this page. The design is drawn as stitches, with its size, stitch count and colours.
Can I convert a .pes file to PNG?
Yes. Open it here and press Save as PNG. The background can be transparent or white.
Is my design uploaded?
No. It is read in your browser and never leaves your device.
Does it change my file?
No. The page only reads the file. It cannot save or convert embroidery files for a machine.
Which files does it open?
.pes, .pec, .dst and .exp.
Brother, Janome and other machine names belong to their owners and are not affiliated with LCTR. Formats are named only to say which files this opens.