Learn / Embroidery file viewer

Free tool · PES, DST, JEF, EXP

Open a PES file on a Mac

Got an embroidery design your Mac won't open? Choose the file below to see the design, its stitch count, colors, size and the hoops it fits; this page reads the file in your browser, and it never leaves your computer.

File won't open here? Email it to support@tempore.net and we'll tell you what's inside it.

Edit, resize or convert the design

To edit, personalize, resize or convert the design, use Satinsmith for Mac (free tier; Apple silicon, macOS 14 or later). The free tier opens, previews and organizes designs and includes five exports a month; editing and lettering are in the paid plans, which you can try first with a free evaluation key.

This page only shows what a file contains. It does not convert files or save anything.

Your file stays on your computer

The viewer is a script in this page. Your browser reads the file and draws it on your screen; the file, its name and its contents are never uploaded or sent anywhere, and nothing is stored. You don't need an account. Privacy.

Questions

Can I open a PES file on a Mac?

Yes. This page opens PES files in any Mac browser without installing anything, and shows the design, stitch count, colors and size. To edit or convert the file you need embroidery software that runs on macOS, such as Satinsmith.

Can Preview or Finder open PES files?

Not on their own. macOS does not read embroidery machine formats, so Preview cannot open a PES file and Finder shows a plain document icon. Installing Satinsmith adds Quick Look previews and thumbnails in Finder for PES, DST, JEF, EXP and the other machine formats it reads.

Why does my DST file show no colors?

A DST file stores stitches and color-change commands, not thread colors, so the machine asks you for each thread. The viewer draws each color section in a neutral display color so you can tell them apart. Some programs add optional color lines to the DST header; when a file has them, the viewer shows them. EXP files store no colors either.

Are the PES colors exact?

They are the colors the file names: PES files from newer software carry thread descriptions with real colors, and older ones point into Brother's 64-color palette. JEF files point into Janome's palette. Screens show thread colors only approximately.