A PES file is a machine embroidery file format developed by Brother for use with their embroidery and sewing machines. PES files store stitch-by-stitch needle position data, thread colour information, and design metadata in a binary format that Brother machines can read directly from a USB drive or built-in memory.
What's Inside a PES File?
- •Stitch data: absolute X/Y coordinates for each needle penetration, measured in units of 0.1 mm.
- •Thread colour sequence: the order of thread colours, mapped to Brother's thread colour library.
- •Jump and trim commands: instructions to lift the needle (jump) and cut the thread (trim).
- •Stop commands: pauses for thread colour changes.
- •Design metadata: stitch count, design dimensions, and software version.
Which Machines Use PES Files?
PES files are used by Brother's PE-series, SE-series, Innov-is series, and Disney-branded embroidery machines, as well as Babylock embroidery machines (which share Brother's engineering platform). Most Brother machines made in the last 15 years accept PES version 6 files. Newer machines may support PES version 10 or higher.
PES Versions
| PES Version | Typical Machines | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PES v6 | PE525, PE700, older models | Most widely compatible |
| PES v10 | PE800, SE1900, Innov-is NV880 | Adds thumbnail preview in machine |
| PES v11+ | Newer Innov-is models | Additional metadata fields |
How to Create a PES File Free
SewFlow converts any image to a PES file instantly. Upload your PNG, JPEG, SVG, or BMP, set your design size, and download — no software installation, just a free account (1 free download every month).
- 1Go to sewflow.com/image.
- 2Upload your image.
- 3Set your design dimensions.
- 4Select PES in the output format dropdown.
- 5Download the .pes file and transfer it to your Brother machine via USB.
Create a free PES file for your Brother machine:
Open Image Converter →PES vs JEF vs DST
PES is Brother's proprietary format; JEF is Janome's. DST is an older universal format used by commercial machines. If you have a Brother machine, always use PES — it preserves colour information and produces the most compatible file. DST is appropriate only when sending to commercial embroiderers who don't need colour metadata.
Check Your Machine's PES Version
Most Brother machines display the maximum PES version they support in the machine specifications. SewFlow outputs a broadly compatible PES format that works across all major Brother and Babylock models.