Why won't my XBM file display in the browser?

No browser supports it — browsers render PNG, JPEG, GIF, WebP, AVIF, SVG and BMP, and nothing else. The file downloads instead and needs an image editor.

Why does an XBM look like code?

Because it is — the format is a C array declaration, designed so icons could be compiled straight into X Window programs.

Should I convert XBM to PNG?

For anything anyone needs to look at, yes — PNG is lossless, displays in every browser, and is almost always smaller. Keep the original only if a specific tool requires it.

Host an XBM file and share it as a link

Put an X BitMap online at its own address — an image format that is literally C source code.

You can host:

Drop your XBM file here

Any other file works too — up to 25.0 MB, or 100.0 MB for a whole site

Free to use. Your XBM file is live at your-name.99helpers.site in about ten seconds.

What is a .xbm file?

XBM is unusual: the file is valid C source code, declaring an array of bytes that describes a monochrome bitmap. It was designed so icons could be compiled directly into X Window System programs, which is why it looks like code rather than an image.

What people use XBM files for

Icons in X Window System applications
Monochrome graphics compiled into programs
Legacy Unix desktop assets

What opens a XBM file

GIMP and ImageMagick
Any text editor, since it's C source
X Window System tools
No modern browser displays XBM

How to host a XBM file

1
Drop your XBM file in
Drag it onto the box at the top of this page, or click to choose it. Files up to 25 MB are supported, and nothing is uploaded until you publish.
2
Pick an address
Type a name and we'll tell you straight away whether it's free. That becomes the link: bitmap-icon.99helpers.site
3
Publish and share
Create a free account — that step exists so the file is yours to update, replace or delete — and the link is live within seconds.

The same three steps work for any file — see how file hosting works on 99helpers.com.

What happens when someone opens the link

The file downloads and displays as C source in a text editor. Browsers dropped XBM support long ago.

Why host a XBM file instead of emailing it?

Legacy Unix assets occasionally need sharing, and an XBM is small enough that hosting one costs nothing.

Worth knowing before you publish

Monochrome only — one bit per pixel, no colour or greyscale.
Convert to PNG for anything that needs displaying.
The file is readable as C, which makes it easy to inspect.

XBM hosting questions

Why won't my XBM file display in the browser?: No browser supports it — browsers render PNG, JPEG, GIF, WebP, AVIF, SVG and BMP, and nothing else. The file downloads instead and needs an image editor.
Why does an XBM look like code?: Because it is — the format is a C array declaration, designed so icons could be compiled straight into X Window programs.
Should I convert XBM to PNG?: For anything anyone needs to look at, yes — PNG is lossless, displays in every browser, and is almost always smaller. Keep the original only if a specific tool requires it.

Put your XBM file online now

It takes about ten seconds, and you only make an account once the file is ready to go live.

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Hosting guides for related formats

Host an X PixMap image (XPM)Host a PNG image Host an ICO favicon Host a Netpbm image (PNM)Host an SVG image

XBM is one of over 211 formats you can host — see free file hosting for any file type for the full list, or read the hosting guides for other file types.