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What is a PES file?

A .PES file is an embroidery design for Brother and Baby Lock machines. It is Brother's native stitch format and one of the most common formats on design marketplaces like Etsy.

What's inside a PES file

PES section — the design description, including thread colours from Brother's thread chart and, in newer versions, object and hoop information.
PEC section — the stitch data the machine actually sews, plus small monochrome preview images that appear on the machine's screen. A bare .PEC file is just this part.

PES versions

PES has several versions, and a machine's supported versions depend on its model and firmware. EmbroViewer reads supported PES files through their embedded stitch data; a successful preview does not prove that your machine accepts that PES version. If a file does not open, ask the designer to export a version supported by your machine and check the requirements in its manual.

How to open a PES file without PE-Design

Open the free PES viewer.
Drop in the .pes file. It is read in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
Check the size against your hoop (4″×4″, 5″×7″, 6″×10″…), the stitch count and the colour list.

How to make a PES file

PES files are made with digitizing software. If you have a simple logo as SVG, the free SVG to PES converter can auto-digitize it into a PES file you can sew.

Frequently asked questions

What machines use PES files?

Brother and Baby Lock embroidery machines.

How do I get a PES file onto my Brother machine?

Copy it to a USB stick (FAT32), plug it into the machine and select it from the embroidery menu. Some models also support Wi-Fi transfer via Brother's apps.

Can I open a PES file on my phone?

Yes — EmbroViewer runs in mobile browsers on iPhone, iPad and Android.

Open the free embroidery viewer

Last updated 2026-09-30