Open and view PES files – free
You have a PES file and want to see what’s inside – without expensive embroidery software? With Stickschau you open it right in your browser, free and without signing up.
No file at hand? The start page has three example designs to look at.
How to open a PES file – in 3 steps
- Open Stickschau.
- Click “📄 Files” and choose the PES file – or simply drag it into the window. On a PC you can use “📂 Open folder” to see every file in a folder at once.
- Done: the design appears as a preview. Click it for the large view with all the details.
What Stickschau shows you for every file
- A preview of the design, on light or dark fabric
- Size in millimeters and number of stitches
- Colors, color changes and color order
- Approximate stitch time
- Whether the design fits your hoop (custom hoop size in mm possible)
- Thread suggestions from your own thread stash
- Large view to browse through, and “💾 Image” to save it as a picture
What is a PES file?
PES is the embroidery format of Brother and is also read by Baby Lock machines. A PES file holds the stitches of the design and the thread colors. On a computer without embroidery software you only see an icon – so you often don’t know which design hides behind a file name.
Bought a design as a ZIP?
Stickschau opens ZIP files directly, without unzipping. You see every design inside and can pull out and save just the format your machine needs.
Does it work on a phone or Mac?
Yes. Stickschau runs in the browser – on Windows PCs, Macs, tablets and phones. On a phone you pick single files or a ZIP file; whole folders at once only work on a computer.
Do my files stay private?
Yes. Files are only read in your browser and never uploaded anywhere. No sign-up, no ads.
What Stickschau can’t do
Stickschau is a viewer: it shows embroidery files but does not edit them or convert them to another format. It only creates files of its own from photos – as cross stitch (JEF or DST): Photo → cross stitch.
Frequently asked questions
How can I open a PES file without software?
With Stickschau in your browser: open the page, choose “Files” and select the PES file. Nothing needs to be installed.
Is it free?
Yes, free forever – no sign-up, no subscription and no ads.
Is my PES file uploaded?
No. The file is only read in your browser and stays on your device.
Can I view several PES files at once?
Yes. On a computer you open a whole folder (including subfolders) and see all designs as a gallery, sortable by name, stitch count, size or colors.
Can Stickschau convert PES to JEF or another format?
No. Stickschau only displays files and does not convert them. If a purchased design comes as a ZIP in several formats, you can pull out the one you need.
Are the colors in the preview accurate?
Stickschau shows the colors stored in the file. Depending on the thread brand, the real thread may look a little different.
Other formats Stickschau opens: JEF and JEF+ (Janome, Elna), VP3 (Pfaff, Husqvarna), HUS (Husqvarna Viking), EXP (Bernina) and DST (Tajima).
Embroidery design shops and groups are listed under Shops & groups.