DST file viewer
Open Tajima DST (.dst) embroidery files in your browser. See every stitch, watch the sew-out, and check the size, color stops and stitch count before you sew. Nothing to install.
Drop your .dst file here
DST, PES, JEF, EXP, VP3, XXX, PEC, U01, TBF · read in your browser, never uploaded
How to open a .dst file
- 1
Drop the .dst file
Drag it onto the viewer above, or press Choose file. It's read in your browser.
- 2
Check the design
Zoom into the stitches, play the sew-out and check the width, height and stitch count.
- 3
Note the color order
DST doesn't store thread colors, so each color stop gets a distinct preview color. Keep the color sheet.
- 4
Save or convert
Download a PNG preview or a color sheet, or save the design as PES or any other format with a plan.
About Tajima DST files
DST was created by Tajima and became the common language of commercial embroidery. Nearly every multi-needle machine, and most embroidery software, can open it.
A DST file stores needle movements, jumps, trims and color stops, but not the thread colors themselves. You assign threads to needles at the machine, so keep the color sheet that comes with your download.
Single stitches in DST are limited to 12.1 mm. The digitizer splits longer moves automatically, and encodes trims as the jump sequence Tajima-compatible machines expect.
Machines that read .dst
Tajima, Barudan, SWF, Ricoma, Happy, most commercial machines.
Convert DST files
Other viewers
Everything to look at before you sew
Realistic stitch preview
Thread texture on five fabric colors, with zoom down to single stitches.
Sew-out simulation
Play the design stitch by stitch to see the order colors and sections are sewn in.
Size and hoop
Exact width and height in mm or inches, to check the design fits your hoop.
Stitch count and sew time
Total stitches, trims and an estimated sewing time for planning and pricing.
Thread colors
Each color stop with its stitch count, ready for a color sheet.
Save in another format
With a plan, save the design as PES, DST, JEF, EXP, VP3, XXX, PEC, U01 or TBF.
Getting a DST file onto your machine
- Copy the .dst file to a USB stick formatted as FAT32, or use your machine's transfer app or cable.
- Keep file names short and simple; some machines only show the first few characters.
- Check the design size against your largest hoop before you transfer it.
- Write down the color order from the color sheet before you start sewing.
Free account
Start digitizing in under a minute
Create a free account to digitize any image, try every setting and watch it sew. Choose a plan only when you want to download files.
- Digitize and preview any image
- Realistic stitch preview and sew-out
- Save designs to your library
- No credit card needed
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.
How do I open a .dst file without software?
Drop the file into the viewer above. It opens right in your browser on Windows, Mac, Linux or a tablet, and shows the stitches, color changes, size, stitch count and estimated sew time.
Does DST keep my thread colors?
No. DST only marks where the colors change. Use the color sheet (TXT) download to set up your needles, or choose PES, VP3 or XXX if your machine reads a format that stores colors.
Can home machines read DST?
Many can. Brother, Janome, Bernina and others often read DST as well as their native format, but the native format usually shows the correct colors on screen.
Can I convert a DST file to another format?
Yes. After opening it, pick another format such as PES, JEF or EXP and download it. Viewing is free; downloading converted files is included in every plan.
Is my file uploaded anywhere?
No. The file is read in your browser and never leaves your device.
More tools
Keep going
- GuideHow to open PES, DST and JEF embroidery filesWhat machine embroidery files are, how to view them on any computer, and how to get them into your machine's format and onto the machine.Read the guide
- GuideEmbroidery file formats explainedWhat each machine embroidery format is, which machines read it, and how to pick and convert the right one.Read the guide
- GuidePES vs DST: which embroidery file format should you use?How Brother's PES and Tajima's DST differ, which one your machine or shop needs, and what converting changes.Read the guide
- Free previewEmbroidery file converterConvert PES, DST, JEF, EXP, VP3 and XXX files to any other machine format.Open
- Free toolEmbroidery file viewerOpen DST, PES, JEF and more in your browser: stitch preview, colors, size and stitch count.Open
- Free previewText to embroidery fileType a name or monogram, pick a font and download a ready-to-sew lettering file.Open
Need a DST file of your own design?
Upload a logo or picture and the digitizer makes a ready-to-sew DST file for Tajima and Barudan machines.