Convert WMF to EMF — Free Online Converter
Convert Windows Metafile (.wmf) to Enhanced Metafile (.emf) online for free. Fast, secure image conversion with no watermarks or registration....
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How to Convert
Upload your .wmf file by dragging it into the upload area or clicking to browse.
Choose your output settings. The default settings work great for most files.
Click Convert and download your .emf file when it's ready.
About WMF to EMF Conversion
WMF (Windows Metafile) is Microsoft's original vector graphics format from Windows 3.0 (1990), using 16-bit GDI drawing commands. EMF (Enhanced Metafile) is its successor, introduced with Windows NT and 32-bit Windows, offering 32-bit coordinates, device independence, embedded font support, and a richer set of GDI+ drawing primitives. Both formats record sequences of Windows graphics commands, but EMF provides significantly better precision, features, and modern application support.
Converting WMF to EMF upgrades legacy Windows vector graphics to the modern metafile standard. This conversion preserves the vector nature of the content — lines, shapes, curves, and text remain editable — while gaining EMF's improvements: higher coordinate precision, better text handling, proper coordinate transforms, and broader support in current Windows applications including Microsoft Office, Visio, and CorelDRAW.
Why Convert WMF to EMF?
EMF maintains significantly better support in modern Windows applications than WMF. Microsoft Office (2016 and later) renders EMF more accurately and consistently than WMF. Visio, CorelDRAW, and other vector-capable Windows applications prefer EMF input. Converting WMF to EMF ensures that legacy graphics render correctly in current software without the coordinate precision issues and rendering inconsistencies that WMF's 16-bit limitations introduce.
EMF's 32-bit coordinate space provides 65,536 times more precision than WMF's 16-bit space. This means smoother curves, more accurate text positioning, and better rendering of complex shapes. For technical drawings, diagrams, and detailed clip art, the upgrade from WMF to EMF improves visual quality noticeably at high zoom levels and large print sizes.
Common Use Cases
- Upgrade legacy WMF clip art to EMF for accurate rendering in modern Microsoft Office documents
- Convert WMF technical drawings to EMF for improved precision in engineering documentation
- Migrate WMF graphics from old Windows applications to EMF for use in current Visio diagrams
- Preserve WMF vector content in the modern EMF format while maintaining editability
- Upgrade WMF graphics from legacy document templates to EMF for current corporate branding systems
How It Works
The WMF file is parsed record by record. Each WMF GDI record is translated to its EMF equivalent. Most WMF records have direct EMF counterparts (LineTo, Rectangle, Ellipse, SelectObject, etc.) with expanded parameter sizes (16-bit to 32-bit). WMF's coordinate transforms (SetWindowOrg, SetWindowExt, SetViewportOrg, SetViewportExt) are converted to EMF's more flexible transform model. Font references are preserved, and embedded bitmap data (StretchDIBits records) is carried through. The output EMF file uses the enhanced metafile header format with proper bounds and device independence information.
Quality & Performance
The conversion preserves all vector content with improved precision. Lines, curves, shapes, and fills transfer exactly. The 32-bit coordinate upgrade improves rendering accuracy for complex shapes and small text. Font-dependent elements render identically when the same fonts are available. Embedded bitmaps within the WMF are preserved at their original quality. This is one of the few conversions that actually improves quality over the source format.
Device Compatibility
| Device | WMF | EMF |
|---|---|---|
| Windows PC | Partial | Partial |
| macOS | Partial | Partial |
| iPhone/iPad | Partial | Partial |
| Android | Partial | Partial |
| Linux | Partial | Partial |
| Web Browser | No | No |
Tips for Best Results
- 1WMF-to-EMF is the ideal upgrade path for legacy Windows graphics that need to stay editable
- 2Test rendered output in your target application (Office, Visio) after conversion to verify accuracy
- 3For cross-platform use, consider converting to SVG instead — EMF is Windows-specific
- 4Ensure fonts referenced by the WMF are available on the system for accurate text rendering
- 5Batch convert entire WMF clip art libraries to EMF to modernize legacy graphic assets
WMF to EMF conversion upgrades legacy Windows vector graphics to the modern standard with improved precision, better text handling, and broader software support. The vector content is fully preserved and enhanced.