How to view a .PES file online
Three steps, a few seconds.
Open your .PES file
Drop your design on the box or click to choose it from your computer or a USB stick.
Check size and colours
See the finished size in millimetres and inches, the hoop it fits, the stitch count and every thread change with its colour.
Watch it stitch
Press play to watch the design being sewn stitch by stitch, or drag the slider to any point. Save a PNG preview for your records.
What is a .PES file?
Machine instructions, not pictures.
A PES file is a machine-embroidery design created by Brother's PE-Design software, used on Brother, Babylock, and some Bernina machines. To preview one free, open it in Wilcom TrueSizer (desktop or web) or Ink/Stitch. To stitch it, copy the .pes to a USB stick, insert into the machine, and select the design. Check that it fits your hoop and that the PES version matches your machine.
Programs that open .PES files
| Full name | Brother/Babylock PES Embroidery File |
|---|---|
| Developer | Brother Industries (PE-Design / Brother-Babylock-Bernina ecosystem) |
| First released | 1990s (Brother PE-Design); PES versions through v1–v11 |
| Category | Data & Other |
| MIME type | application/octet-stream |
| Signature | 23 50 45 53 ("#PES" followed by a version string, e.g. "#PES0001".."#PES0100") |
Related viewers
Other free tools to open and preview your files.
Frequently asked questions
Is my .PES file uploaded?
No. Your .PES file is decoded and drawn. Your designs stay.
Why are the colours different from my design software?
DST and EXP files don't store colours at all, only the places where thread changes. JEF stores Janome thread numbers, which we show with approximate colours. PES and PEC colours use the Brother thread palette.
How long will it take to stitch?
We estimate the time from the stitch count at 600 stitches per minute plus about 30 seconds per colour change. Real speed depends on your machine and the fabric.
Which hoop do I need?
We suggest the smallest common hoop that fits the design's width and height with a little margin. Check your machine's hoop list for the exact sizes.
Can I convert DST to PES here?
Not yet - conversion between machine formats is planned. The viewer already reads all the stitch data a converter needs.
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