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

Quick facts

Extension.xpm

File typeXPM Image

MIME typeimage/x-xpixmap

CategoryImage

Charset—

Compressible—

What is .xpm

What is a .xpm file?

A .xpm file is a XPM 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-xpixmap. When serving .xpm over HTTP, set the Content-Type header as shown in Developer info below.

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

How to open .xpm files

Use Photoshop or GIMP to open and edit .xpm 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-xpixmap

Common software that reads/writes .xpm:

PhotoshopGIMPPaintPreview

Relation chain

.xpmextension of

format

XPM Imageserved as

mime type

image/x-xpixmapsent via header

http header

Related extensions

Related MIME types

Related programming languages

X PixMap

.xpm .pm

Common uses

Web graphics and photos
Design assets and icons
Print and photography

How to edit .xpm 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 .xpm files

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

Frequently asked questions

What programs can open .xpm 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 .xpm file?

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

What is the relationship between .xpm and the image/x-xpixmap MIME type?

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

Sources & standards

Updated 2026-08-18

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