PES to EXP Converter — Free Online, No Sign-Up

Convert your PES file to EXP format online, no sign-up required. Drop your design and download the converted file in seconds.

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Convert to EXP

2 free conversions every 24 h, no sign-up required.

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Maximum file size :: 10 MB
Supported formats :: PES, DST, JEF, EXP, VP3 (input and output)
Sign-up :: None for free use
File storage :: None: deleted immediately after conversion

How it works

1. Drop your file
Drag and drop your PES file or select it from your computer.
2. The conversion starts
Your design is automatically converted to the EXP format, keeping all embroidery stitches.
3. Download the result
Instantly get your EXP file, ready to use on your embroidery machine.

What changes in the PES to EXP conversion

EXP is the most minimal of the five: even more than DST, it is just the stitch sequence. The Brother design geometry passes through intact, but palette and metadata are left behind.

The color palette is lost: EXP stores no color information, only thread-change stops.
No design name or header dimensions: an EXP file is a plain stitch sequence.
The color section order is preserved — assign threads in that order on the Bernina or Melco machine.
The stitch count stays identical.

PES or EXP: what are the differences?

	PES .pes	EXP .exp
Typical use	Home embroidery	Home (Bernina) and industrial (Melco)
Machines concerned	Brother, Babylock, Bernina Deco	Bernina, Melco
Colors	Includes a color palette (with thread references depending on the version)	No palette: thread-change stops only
Metadata	Design name, dimensions, thread palette	No rich metadata (stitch sequence only)
How to open it	With Brother PE-Design, Embrilliance Essentials or the free Ink/Stitch	With the free Bernina ArtLink or Melco software

Understanding the PES and EXP formats

Format PES .pes

PES is the native format of Brother and Babylock home embroidery machines (and Bernina Deco). It is one of the most widely distributed formats: most design shops offer it by default. A PES file stores stitches (positions, jumps, trims), a color section and metadata — design name, dimensions in millimeters and, depending on the version, a thread palette. When converting, these elements are read and re-encoded into the target format: the stitch count and design dimensions stay identical, while the color palette is only kept if the destination format can store one. To open a PES file outside a Brother machine: PE-Design, Embrilliance Essentials, Ink/Stitch (free) or Wilcom TrueSizer (free).

Brother, Babylock, Bernina Deco

Format EXP .exp

EXP is an embroidery (and cutting) format used by Bernina machines and Melco industrial machines. It is a deliberately minimal « flat » format: it describes the stitch, jump and trim sequence plus stops for thread changes, but it carries no color palette and no rich metadata — no design name or dimensions in a header. It is a robust choice for sending a design to the machine with no ambiguity about geometry; in exchange, colors must be assigned afterwards, on the machine or in software. When converting, stitches and the color order are carried over as-is; only the palette (if the source format has one) is lost. To open an EXP file: Bernina ArtLink (free) or Melco software.

Bernina, Melco

Machine compatibility and dimensions

The conversion changes neither the stitch count nor the design dimensions: a 90 × 90 mm design remains a 90 × 90 mm design. The maximum embroiderable area depends on your machine and hoop, not on the file: simply check that the converted design dimensions fit inside your hoop. All formats supported here (PES, DST, JEF, EXP, VP3) express stitch positions in the same base unit, which allows conversion without any rescaling.

Other conversions from the PES format

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert a PES file to EXP?

Drop your .pes file in the conversion area above: the conversion to EXP is automatic. All that is left is to download the converted file.

Why does my converted EXP file show different colors?

That is expected: the EXP format carries no colors. The machine shows default colors; assign your threads following the original PES section order to get the intended result.

How do I open a PES file?

PES files can be opened with Brother PE-Design, Embrilliance Essentials or the free Ink/Stitch. You can also convert them online for free with StitchConverter.

Is the PES to EXP conversion free?

Yes. StitchConverter offers 2 free conversions every 24 h, with no sign-up. For unlimited use, go Premium (€1 per 24 h or €5 per month).

Do I need an account to convert a file?

No, no sign-up is required for free use. A Premium account is created automatically when you purchase, and you are identified by e-mail.