Free · private · no install
PES file viewer — free and online
EmbroViewer opens .PES files — the embroidery format used by Brother and Baby Lock machines — right in your browser. Drop a PES file above to see the design stitch by stitch, check its size against your hoop and read the thread colours, without installing PE-Design or any other software.
What is a PES file?
PES is Brother's embroidery design format. Brother and Baby Lock home machines read it from USB, and it is one of the most common formats sold on embroidery design marketplaces.
A PES file has two parts: a PES header that describes the design and its thread colours, and an embedded PEC block that holds the actual stitches plus a small preview image the machine shows on its screen. Thread colours refer to Brother's thread chart, which is why PES designs open in the right colours — unlike DST.
PES has gone through several versions as Brother added features. EmbroViewer reads the embedded stitch data in supported PES files and can also open bare .PEC files. If a file fails to open, ask the designer for a supported stitch-file export.
How to open a PES file online
- Scroll up and click Open files, or drag your .pes file anywhere onto the page.
- The design appears instantly. Zoom with the mouse wheel, drag to pan, press Space to play the sew-out.
- Choose your hoop from the hoop menu to check the fit, and open Stats for stitch count, size, colours and run time.
- Save a PNG preview or the thread list if you need to share it.
What you can check
- Exact design width and height in mm or inches, and whether it fits a 4″×4″, 5″×7″, 6″×10″ or larger hoop
- Stitch count, colour changes, jumps, trims, stitch density and thread length
- Estimated sewing time
- Thread colours and the stitch order, with stitch-by-stitch playback
Machines: Brother and Baby Lock embroidery machines (single-needle and multi-needle).
Check a PES design before putting it on your Brother machine
Choose the hoop your exact machine supports and compare it with the design's width and height. Changing the displayed hoop is a fit check; it does not resize the stitches. A browser preview can reveal a size problem, but only the machine's manual confirms supported PES versions and stitch limits.
Troubleshoot a PES file that does not appear.
Private: your file is never uploaded
EmbroViewer reads the file with code running in your own browser. Nothing is sent to a server, there is no sign-up, and it works on Windows, Mac, Chromebook, iPad and Android.
Frequently asked questions
How do I open a PES file without PE-Design?
Drop it onto EmbroViewer. The file is read in your browser, so you can view any PES file on Windows, Mac, Chromebook, iPad or Android without installing Brother software.
Why is my PES file not showing on my Brother machine?
The usual causes are a design larger than the hoop your machine supports, too many stitches for an older model, or the file sitting inside a folder the machine does not scan. Open it here to check the exact size and stitch count first.
Can I convert a PES file to DST?
Not yet — EmbroViewer currently views PES files and writes PES and DST only when digitizing SVG artwork. Format-to-format conversion is on the roadmap.
Are PES and PEC the same?
PEC is the stitch block inside a PES file. Older Brother machines and memory cards used bare PEC files; EmbroViewer opens both.
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Last updated 2026-09-30
