Convert EXP to JEF
Open a .exp embroidery file and download it as Janome JEF for Janome, Elna machines. Every stitch is kept, and the conversion runs in your browser.
Drop your .exp file here
DST, PES, JEF, EXP, VP3, XXX, PEC, U01, TBF · read in your browser, never uploaded
How to convert EXP to JEF
Four steps, all in your browser.
- 1
Open your .exp file
Drop the EXP file into the converter above. It opens right in your browser for free.
- 2
Check the preview
Look over the stitch preview, size, stitch count and colors to confirm it's the right design.
- 3
Set the thread colors
Pick the thread for each color so your JEF file shows the right colors.
- 4
Download the .jef file
Downloads are included in every plan. Copy the file to your Janome machine by USB stick or its transfer app.
EXP vs JEF
| Property | .EXP | .JEF |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Melco | Janome |
| Machines | Melco, Bernina | Janome, Elna |
| Thread colors | Not stored | Stored in file |
| Mostly used by | Melco commercial and Bernina home machines | Janome and Elna home machines |
JEF is Janome's embroidery format, used by the Memory Craft and Skyline embroidery machines and by Elna machines built on the same platform.
What changes when you convert
Every stitch is kept
Needle positions carry over exactly: both EXP and JEF store them in 0.1 mm steps. Moves longer than JEF allows are split automatically.
You choose the colors
EXP files don't contain thread colors, so each color block gets a distinct default color. Set the real threads before downloading so the JEF file shows them.
Jumps become trims
Every jump between sections is written as a trim and a jump, so loose threads are cut on machines with an automatic trimmer.
Convert EXP to other formats
Convert other formats to JEF
Make a JEF from an image
EXP to JEF questions
The quickest way to see what it does with your artwork is to try it. With a free account, digitizing and previewing cost nothing and take about a minute.
Is converting EXP to JEF lossless?
The stitches are. Every needle position is copied exactly. What can differ is metadata such as thread names or hoop settings, which each format stores differently.
Will my Janome machine read the converted file?
Yes, if it reads JEF. The file is written to the Janome JEF specification and checked against independent readers. Most Janome machines read JEF; your manual lists the exact formats.
Is the converter free?
Opening a EXP file and checking its stitches, colors and size is free. Downloading the JEF file needs a paid plan, from $8 a month billed annually.
Is my file uploaded anywhere?
No. The file is opened and previewed entirely in your browser. When you download, only its stitch data is sent to create the converted file.
Can I resize the design while converting?
Not in the converter, which keeps the stitches exactly as they are. To change the size, digitize the original artwork again in the digitizer, since scaling stitch files changes their density.
Keep going
Related tools and guides
- Machine guideJanome machinesJEF files for Janome and Elna embroidery machines, with Janome thread colors and hoop sizes.Open
- Free toolEmbroidery file viewerOpen DST, PES, JEF and more in your browser: stitch preview, colors, size and stitch count.Open
- Free toolHoop size calculatorFind which hoops fit your design and how far to scale it down if it's too big.Open
- Free toolThread color chart & matcherBrother and Janome thread charts with codes, plus a color matcher between brands.Open
- GuideEmbroidery file formats explainedWhich machines read which format, and which formats keep thread colors.Open
Have the original artwork?
Digitize it from scratch for a cleaner JEF at exactly the size you need.