PAT File

What are PAT files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a PAT 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 PAT files.

What is a PAT file?

PAT files have multiple uses, and Adobe Photoshop Pattern is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

Adobe Photoshop Pattern

We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

How to open PAT files

We have identified one PAT opener that is compatible with this specific type of PAT file.

Programs that open Adobe Photoshop Pattern files

Last updated: August 10, 2026

All known file formats using extension .PAT

While Adobe Photoshop Pattern is a popular type of PAT-file, we know of 15 different uses of the .PAT file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

CorelDRAW Pattern

CorelDRAW Pattern (file extension .PAT) is a pattern file used by CorelDRAW to store vector-based designs that can fill shapes with repeating motifs such as decorative textures, dots, or stripes. It is created in CorelDRAW by designing a pattern (or selecting an existing one), then saving or exporting it as a pattern file so that it can be reused across different objects or projects.

These files are used when a designer wants to apply a pre-made pattern fill to an object rather than drawing the pattern each time. The workflow typically involves creating or importing pattern artwork inside CorelDRAW, defining pattern fill parameters such as scale, angle, and spacing, and saving the result in the .PAT format. Later, the pattern can be imported from the .PAT file and applied to new objects via the Pattern Fill tool inside CorelDRAW. It supports both vector and full-color pattern fills rather than simple two-color or texture fills saved with other formats such as .FILL.

Technically, a files written in this exact CorelDRAW Pattern format begin with the byte signature WLl00 at offset 0 (hex values 0x574C6C00). This serves to distinguish it from other .PAT formats used by different applications, for instance those for GIMP, Photoshop, or system patches.

PAT opener for Windows

We have identified one PAT opener that is compatible with this specific type of PAT file.

GIMP Pattern

GIMP Pattern files with the .PAT extension are image tiles used exclusively by GIMP to fill areas by repeating them, such as when using the Bucket Fill tool, Clone tool, or stroke operations. These files are created by exporting any image in GIMP under a name ending with .pat, and then placing them in one of GIMP's "patterns" folders so that they appear in the Patterns dialog. Patterns can be opaque or include transparency, and multiple image formats (PNG, JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF) may also be used as patterns, though .pat files are specific to GIMP pattern tiles.

Each .PAT file stores exactly one raster image, which can be grayscale, RGB, or include an alpha channel, with arbitrary tile size set by 32-bit width and height fields. Data are stored in raw, uncompressed format, row-by-row across pixels. GIMP versions since at least 2.2 allow the pattern name inside the file header to differ from the .pat filename.

In technical detail, GIMP Pattern files begin with a header that includes a 32-bit header_size (typically 24 plus the length of the pattern name), followed by version, width, height, and bytes-per-pixel (1 for grayscale, 2 for grayscale plus alpha, 3 for RGB, 4 for RGBA). A magic number field starting at byte offset 20 must match the ASCII signature "GPAT". After the header comes the UTF-8 pattern name, then the raw pixel data filling width × height × bytes bytes.

Programs that open these PAT files

We have identified one PAT opener that is compatible with this specific type of PAT file.

5th Generation Sys. Patch

We know that one PAT format is 5th Generation Sys. Patch. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

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

BNUPORT Patch Table

We know that one PAT format is BNUPORT Patch Table. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Gravis UltraSound GF1 Patch

We know that one PAT format is Gravis UltraSound GF1 Patch. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

MegaPaint Pattern

We know that one PAT format is MegaPaint Pattern. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Mission Patch

We know that one PAT format is Mission Patch. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

NeoPaint Palette

We know that one PAT format is NeoPaint Palette. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

PaintShow Pattern

We know that one PAT format is PaintShow Pattern. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

PCStich Pattern

PCStitch Pattern (file extension .PAT) files store cross-stitch designs created and saved by the PCStitch software. These files contain all the information needed to edit, view, and print stitch-by-stitch charts including the pattern layout, color palette, symbols, backstitch and specialty stitches, text, borders, and any embedded library pieces. These files are intended for hand cross-stitch work and crafts that use a grid-based design, rather than machine-embroidered or automated stitching.

When you work in PCStitch, saving your project produces a .PAT file; it preserves not just a printable view, but also all editable elements so that you can reopen the design later to change colors, layout, symbols, customize palettes, or adjust stitch types. Users can print the pattern in color or black and white, adjust zoom or grid scale, alter symbols, or replace thread colors. The file is also used by the free Pattern Viewer application for opening and printing, though only PCStitch lets you modify the design's structure. PCStitch saves incremental backups with extension .BPT for intermediate versions after the first .PAT save.

Internally the file begins with an ASCII header identifying it as a PCStitch pattern: it starts with the string "PCStitch" at byte 0, followed by "Pattern File" around byte 10, and contains the keywords PCSTITCH and PATTERN FILE somewhere in the header.

Programs that open these PAT files

We have identified one PAT opener that is compatible with this specific type of PAT file.

PPrint Pattern

We know that one PAT format is PPrint Pattern. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

SNNS Pattern Definition

We know that one PAT format is SNNS Pattern Definition. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Synology Install Package

We know that one PAT format is Synology Install Package. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Train Simulator Path

We know that one PAT format is Train Simulator Path. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of PAT files. Remember, different programs may use PAT 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 PAT file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.