Convert EXP to PES
Open a .exp embroidery file and download it as Brother PES for Brother, Baby Lock 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 PES
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 PES file shows the right colors.
- 4
Download the .pes file
Downloads are included in every plan. Copy the file to your Brother machine by USB stick or its transfer app.
EXP vs PES
| Property | .EXP | .PES |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Melco | Brother |
| Machines | Melco, Bernina | Brother, Baby Lock |
| Thread colors | Not stored | Stored in file |
| Mostly used by | Melco commercial and Bernina home machines | Brother and Baby Lock home machines |
PES is the format Brother's embroidery machines and PE-Design use. Baby Lock machines are built on the same platform and read PES too.
What changes when you convert
Every stitch is kept
Needle positions carry over exactly: both EXP and PES store them in 0.1 mm steps. Moves longer than PES 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 PES 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 PES
Make a PES from an image
EXP to PES 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 PES 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 Brother machine read the converted file?
Yes, if it reads PES. The file is written to the Brother PES specification and checked against independent readers. Most Brother machines read PES; 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 PES 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 guideBrother machinesPES files for Brother embroidery machines, with Brother thread colors, hoop sizes and transfer options.Open
- Machine guideBaby Lock machinesPES files for Baby Lock embroidery machines, with transfer, hoop size and color tips.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 PES at exactly the size you need.