How to view a .PCT file online
No app, no account, no upload.
Open your .PCT
Drag a .PCT file from your scanner, camera or archive onto the viewer, or choose it from your device. It's decoded right here.
View and inspect
Flip through the pages of a multi-page file, zoom into fine detail, and read its compression, color and print-resolution details.
Save a copy
Export the page you're viewing as PNG, JPG or WEBP that opens on any phone or computer.
What is a .PCT file?
Everything worth knowing about Apple Macintosh PICT Image.
A PCT file is an Apple PICT image, a legacy Macintosh graphics format dating to 1984 that stores both vector drawing commands and bitmap graphics in one file. On macOS, Apple Preview opens it directly. On Windows, use XnView or IrfanView (both free). The format is obsolete; convert to PNG or TIFF for long-term use.
Programs that open .PCT files
- Windows
- Adobe Photoshop, XnView, PaintShop Pro, GIMP, Adobe Illustrator, ACDSee
- macOS
- Adobe Photoshop, Apple Preview, XnView MP
| Full name | Apple Macintosh PICT Image |
|---|---|
| Developer | Apple Inc. |
| First released | 1984 (original Macintosh with QuickDraw) |
| Category | Images |
| MIME type | image/x-pict |
| Signature | 11 01 (PICT v1 marker at offset 522 (hex 11 01); PICT v2 marker: 00 11 02 FF 0C 00 at offset 522) |
Related viewers
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Frequently asked questions
Is my .PCT file uploaded to a server?
No. Your .PCT file is decoded with JavaScript and WebAssembly. The decoders are downloaded once from a public CDN.
How do I see the other pages of a TIFF?
Use the arrows above the image, the page thumbnails in the side panel, or the [ and ] keys. Every page can be saved separately as PNG or JPG.
Why do some TIFF tags look like numbers?
Tags are stored as raw values. We translate the common ones (compression, color mode, resolution, orientation) and list the rest exactly as they appear in the file.
Can I view GeoTIFF or GeoJP2 maps?
We show the image and tell you it's georeferenced. To see it on a map with coordinates, open it in our Map Viewer.
Is my 16-bit or HDR image shown accurately?
Images with more than 8 bits per channel are scaled to 8 bits for display and export. The original precision is listed in the structure panel.
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