PNG to CUR Converter — Free Online, With Hotspot Editor

What makes a PNG the right source for a Windows cursor?

A PNG file is typically the best image format for creating a Windows cursor. Unlike JPG, a PNG supports an alpha channel. That means it can hold transparent pixels, which is mandatory for a cursor. A cursor is an arrow or a hand floating over your desktop; it cannot have a white square around it.

To make a cursor, you need a square PNG (or JPG) and a tool that can write the .cur format (learn more about what is a CUR file). If you already have a cursor and need to extract its artwork, use the CUR to PNG converter to go the other direction.

What is a cursor hotspot?

A hotspot is the exact pixel on your image where the click happens.

• For a standard arrow, the hotspot is the very tip of the arrow (usually the top-left).
• For a crosshair, the hotspot is the dead center.
• For a pointing hand, the hotspot is the tip of the index finger.

If you get the hotspot wrong, your cursor will feel broken. It will look like it is clicking a few pixels away from where you actually aimed. This tool includes a Hotspot Editor so you can click the exact pixel before you download.

Pro tip: If you are making a standard arrow cursor, set the hotspot to the top-left pixel (0,0).

How to convert a PNG to a CUR file

1. Select your image. Drag and drop your PNG or JPG file into the tool.
2. Set the hotspot. Click directly on the image where the click point should be.
3. Convert. The tool generates the .cur file right in your browser.
4. Download. Save the file to your computer.

What size should my PNG be?

Windows cursors are historically small. The standard sizes are:

• 32×32 pixels: The standard size for most older displays.
• 48×48 pixels: The standard size for high-DPI (Retina/4K) displays.

If you upload a massive 1000×1000 PNG, Windows may reject the cursor or scale it poorly. You should resize your image to a square (like 32×32 or 48×48) before converting it, or use a tool that automatically embeds multiple sizes.

Pro tip: Always use a square image. A rectangular image will be stretched and distorted by Windows.

How to install your custom cursor in Windows 11

Once you have your .cur file downloaded, you need to tell Windows to use it.

1. Open the Start menu and type Mouse settings. Open it.
2. Scroll down and click Additional mouse settings.
3. A new window will open. Click the Pointers tab.
4. In the list of cursors (Normal Select, Help Select, etc.), click the one you want to change.
5. Click Browse... and select the .cur file you just downloaded.
6. Click Apply and then OK.

Pro tip: Keep your .cur file in a safe folder (like Documents). If you delete the file, Windows will revert your cursor to the default.

Can I use a cursor on a Mac?

Mac OS does not use .cur files natively. Apple uses a different cursor system.

However, if you are a web developer, you can use the PNG file directly in your CSS. You do not need the .cur file. Use the CSS rule: cursor: url('your-image.png'), auto;

If you are trying to share a cursor with a Windows user, send them the .cur file generated by this tool. For a full walkthrough of the cursor-making process, see the guide on how to make a custom cursor in Windows 11.

Can I convert a JPG to a cursor?

Yes. While PNG is better because it supports transparency, a JPG works too. If you upload a JPG, the tool will embed it into the .cur container. Just remember that JPGs do not have transparent backgrounds, so your cursor will have a solid square background.