Free online EMF to WMF converter
Convert EMF graphics to legacy WMF for older Windows software, with format and quality limits explained.
Convert EMF to WMF online - free
Your file is processed instantly and never stored on our servers.
Import a file from a URL
Paste a direct link to the file. We download it to our server and it is converted exactly like an upload.
How it works
-
1/3
Upload your .emf file
Click to browse to select your file you want to convert or simply drag & drop your file into selected area.
-
2/3
Perform .emf to .wmf conversion
After successful file upload, click to convert when you are ready.
-
3/3
Download converted .wmf file
Conversion result is ready to download.
How to convert emf to wmf file
- Graphics
- No ratings yet.
A legacy Windows application, reporting system, or document workflow may import WMF but reject EMF. Converting creates the older metafile expected by that software, although features unavailable in WMF can be reduced or lost.
What EMF is
EMF (Enhanced Metafile) is a Windows graphics format that stores GDI drawing records rather than only a fixed pixel image. An EMF can contain lines, shapes, text, clipping regions, bitmap data, and printer-oriented drawing instructions.
Windows clipboard operations, Microsoft Office, reporting software, diagram tools, and printer drivers can create EMF files. Files such as chart.emf commonly originate from copied Office charts, exported diagrams, or graphics extracted from Windows documents.
EMF extended the older WMF design with a wider coordinate range and more graphics records. Some files also include EMF+ data, produced by GDI+, for features such as alpha transparency, gradients, anti-aliased paths, and advanced text rendering.
What WMF is and when it helps
WMF (Windows Metafile) is the older Windows metafile format. It also stores drawing commands and can embed bitmap data, so simple line art may remain scalable after conversion instead of becoming a raster image.
WMF is primarily useful when a receiving application explicitly requires it, such as an older Microsoft Office installation, legacy desktop-publishing package, reporting system, or clip-art library. A WMF can be smaller than an EMF for simple drawings, but embedded images and drawing complexity determine the actual file size; conversion does not guarantee compression.
WMF has fewer graphics capabilities than EMF and is less consistently supported outside Windows. Applications may also treat a WMF as a placed image rather than an editable drawing.
Convert an EMF file to WMF
Upload the EMF file to the converter on 101convert.com, select WMF as the output format, start the conversion, and download the resulting .wmf file. Open that file in the destination application before replacing or distributing the original EMF.
For local conversion, LibreOffice Draw can handle many standard EMF files and export WMF:
- Open the source file with File → Open.
- Check that text, lines, fills, and embedded images render correctly.
- Choose File → Export.
- Select WMF – Windows Metafile as the file type, name the file, and save it.
- Import the exported WMF into the target program and compare it with the source at the required output size.
Do not rename file.emf to file.wmf. EMF and WMF use different binary record structures, so changing the extension does not convert the graphic.
Quality and compatibility limits
WMF cannot represent every EMF feature. EMF+ records, alpha transparency, gradients, complex clipping, advanced text positioning, large coordinate values, and printer-specific records may be simplified, omitted, or rasterized by the conversion tool.
Text can change when the target computer lacks the original font. If exact appearance matters more than editable text, convert text to paths in the original drawing application before exporting, when that application provides the option.
Check thin lines, transparent objects, rotated text, and embedded photographs in the destination software. If that software accepts EMF reliably, retain and use the original EMF because it preserves more drawing information.
EMF vs WMF: format comparison
How the EMF and WMF formats compare on the properties that matter most for this conversion.
| Property | .EMF Enhanced Metafile | .WMF Windows Metafile |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Uncompressed | Uncompressed |
| Transparency | No | No |
| Animation | No | No |
| Layers | No | No |
| Color depth | True color (24-bit) | — |
| Metadata support | Basic | Basic |
| Opens in a web browser | No | No |
| Typical file size | Small | Small |
| Open standard | Partly open | Partly open |
| Best used for | Graphics and illustrations | Graphics and illustrations |
| Introduced | 1993 | 1988 |
| Developer | Microsoft | Microsoft |
| MIME type | image/emf | image/wmf |
Suggested software and links: emf to wmf converters
Frequently asked questions
Is the EMF to WMF converter free?
Yes, converting EMF to WMF on 101convert.com is completely free. No registration, email address or installation is required. If you need a higher file size limit or want to convert more files at once, see our plans.
How large can my EMF file be?
You can upload EMF files up to 1000 MB and convert up to 50 files at once in a single batch.
What happens to my uploaded files?
Files are processed automatically and deleted from our servers within a few minutes after conversion. We never view or share your files.
Do I need to install any software to convert EMF to WMF?
No. The EMF to WMF conversion runs entirely online in your browser and works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone.
Did the conversion fail?
In most cases, the cause is an incorrect file format. Please upload a valid EMF file for this EMF to WMF conversion. Occasionally, the issue may be on our side. We analyze recurring conversion failures and disable or fix the converter if we detect a defect.