Convert PES files to DST, JEF, EXP and more
Drop a .pes file, pick the format your machine reads, check the preview, download. Free, in your browser, nothing uploaded.
Drop your .pes file here
DST, PES, JEF, EXP, VP3, HUS, XXX, PEC or U01
Or try a sample: , ,
Your file stays on your device. Nothing is uploaded.
- 01
Open your PES file
Drop it on the tool or choose it. It's read on your device, never uploaded.
- 02
Pick your machine's format
See the preview of the converted design and what, if anything, changes.
- 03
Download and stitch
Copy the new file to a USB stick or your machine's app.
Converting PES files
PES is Brother's format, so you'll convert one when the design came for a Brother but you stitch on something else. Commercial machines want DST, Janome wants JEF, Pfaff and Husqvarna Viking want VP3, Bernina wants EXP and Singer wants XXX. VP3 and XXX keep the exact colours; JEF maps them to Janome's thread chart; DST and EXP keep only the colour stops, so note your thread order.
Which format does my machine need?
| Machine | File it needs |
|---|---|
| Brother home machines (SE, PE, NQ, Innov-is, Luminaire, Stellaire) | PESSome recent models also accept DST |
| Baby Lock | PES |
| Brother and Baby Lock multi-needle (PR series) | PES or DST |
| Janome, Elna | JEF |
| Husqvarna Viking, Pfaff | VP3Older Viking machines: HUS or VIP |
| Singer | XXX |
| Bernina | EXP |
| Melco | EXP or DST |
| Tajima, Barudan, SWF, Happy, Ricoma, ZSK and most commercial machines | DSTBarudan also uses U01 |
What each conversion keeps
The stitches themselves always carry over exactly: same positions, same order, same trims and colour changes. What can change is how colours are stored:
| PES to | Machines | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| DST | Tajima and most commercial multi-needle machines | Tajima DST files don't store thread colours, only where the machine stops to change them. Keep a note of your thread order. DST has no trim command of its own. Trims are written as a short run of jumps, which most commercial machines read as a trim (check your machine's trim-on-jumps setting). |
| JEF | Janome, Elna | JEF stores Janome thread numbers, so each colour becomes the nearest Janome thread. |
| EXP | Melco, Bernina | Melco EXP files don't store thread colours, only where the machine stops to change them. Keep a note of your thread order. |
| VP3 | Pfaff, Husqvarna Viking | Nothing is lost. |
| XXX | Singer, Compucon | Nothing is lost. |
Before you stitch the converted file
- Check the size against your hoop. Converting doesn't change the size. Use Hoop fit in the File info tab, or see hoop sizes by brand.
- Run the Check tab. It flags very short and very long stitches and dense areas, with what to do about each.
- Stitch a test on scrap fabric with the same stabiliser before using a garment.
Questions
How do I convert PES to DST?
Drop the PES file on the converter, keep DST selected, check the preview and click Download. Write down the thread order from the File info tab, because DST doesn't keep colours.
How do I convert PES to JEF for my Janome?
Open the PES file, choose JEF and download. Colours are matched to the nearest Janome threads, and the stitches are unchanged. Check the size fits your Janome hoop in File info.
Will the converted file have the same colours?
VP3 and XXX keep the exact colours. JEF uses the nearest Janome thread. DST and EXP don't store colours at all, only where to change them.
Can I convert a PES file on a Mac or iPad?
Yes. The converter runs in the browser, so it works in Safari on Mac and iPad as well as on Windows, Android and iPhone.
Is my design uploaded?
No. The conversion happens in your browser, and the file never leaves your device.
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