CHART File

What are CHART files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a CHART file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your CHART files.

What is a CHART file?

A .CHART file is a MacStitch/WinStitch Design file.

MacStitch/WinStitch Design files store counted cross stitch charts created by Ursa Software's MacStitch or WinStitch applications. These files save all the elements of a cross stitch pattern: the colored stitches, symbols, backstitching details, text layers, image layers, layout options and any comments or copyright text. Charts are built like graph paper designs, often from scratch or by importing a photo or artwork and converting it into stitchable form.

These files are produced when the designer chooses Save or Save As within MacStitch or WinStitch, naming the chart and storing it with the internal design information. They are opened later by those same programs (or compatible viewers or apps in the Ursa Software family) for editing, printing or exporting to formats such as PDF. More recent software versions support features like layers, markup, text/image layers, bead support and backwards-compatibility with earlier versions via preferences.

Internally the file format can be recognized by a byte signature: it begins at offset byte 2 with ASCII matching "An Ursa Software File," and it contains the string "AN URSA SOFTWARE FILE."

How to open CHART files

Important: Different programs may use files with the CHART file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your CHART file is, you may need to try a few different programs.

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested five different CHART openers which you will find listed below.

Last updated: August 31, 2026

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of CHART files. Remember, different programs may use CHART files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

Help us help others

File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about CHART file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.