XBM File

What are XBM files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening an XBM 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 XBM files.

What is an XBM file?

An .XBM file is an X Bitmap file.

X Bitmap (extension .xbm) is a plain-text, monochrome image format used by the X Window System (X11) for icons, cursors, and simple bitmaps. It stores image data as C source code, so a programmer or system preparing graphical user interfaces will create these files in order to define small black-and-white visual elements for use in GUIs.

When a .xbm file is used, it's compiled or included into C programs or libraries so that the bitmaps become part of the application's code. Applications that read XBM will render the bitmap by interpreting the compiled data; because the files contain only 1 bit per pixel (black or white) and rely on C code constructs, their usage is limited to small or simple graphics where color or compression are unnecessary.

XBM files begin as standard C code with lines defining the image's width and height and optionally a hotspot (for cursors). Then follow static (often unsigned) char arrays that hold the pixel data, one bit per pixel, packed into bytes. A typical signature is the ASCII string "#define" at byte offset 0, and the presence of identifiers like _WIDTH, _HEIGHT, _BITS, and "STATIC" inside the content.

How to open XBM files

We have identified two XBM openers that are compatible with this specific type of XBM file.

Programs that open X Bitmap files

Last updated: August 5, 2026

Various apps that use files with this extension

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

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