What Is a .xbm File? .xbm Format, MIME & How to Open

Quick facts

Extension.xbm

File typeXBM Image

MIME typeimage/x-xbitmap

CategoryImage

Charset—

Compressible—

What is .xbm

What is a .xbm file?

A .xbm file is a XBM Image. It is a raster or vector image format used for photos, web assets and design work.

In the mime-db registry it maps to image/x-xbitmap. When serving .xbm over HTTP, set the Content-Type header as shown in Developer info below.

Related entities: it maps to image/x-xbitmap and is used by X BitMap among others — and is delivered over HTTP via the Content-Type header.

How to open .xbm files

Use Photoshop or GIMP to open and edit .xbm files.
Any text editor (Notepad, VS Code) can inspect the raw content as text.

Developer info

When served over HTTP, responses should set the following header:

Content-Type: image/x-xbitmap

Common software that reads/writes .xbm:

PhotoshopGIMPPaintPreview

Relation chain

.xbmextension of

format

XBM Imageserved as

mime type

image/x-xbitmapsent via header

http header

Related extensions

Related MIME types

Related programming languages

X BitMap

.xbm

Common uses

Web graphics and photos
Design assets and icons
Print and photography

How to edit .xbm files

Open the file with Photoshop, make your changes and save.
Most editors preserve the original formatting and encoding — avoid changing the charset.

How to create .xbm files

Create a new file and save it with the .xbm extension, or export this format from Photoshop.

Frequently asked questions

What programs can open .xbm files?

Common options include Photoshop, GIMP, Paint. You can also open many of these files with built-in viewers or a browser.

How do I create a .xbm file?

Create a new file in any text editor or the app that owns the format and save it with the .xbm extension.

What is the relationship between .xbm and the image/x-xbitmap MIME type?

image/x-xbitmap is the media type identifier used for .xbm files during network transfer (for example in the HTTP Content-Type header).

Sources & standards

Updated 2026-08-18

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