How to open a .PCL file online
Three steps, a few seconds, no software.
Choose your .PCL file
Drop your .PCL file onto the box above, or click to browse your files.
Supported
Your .PCL file is drawn page by page right.
Browse, search, save
Flip through pages, zoom in, search the text, and save any page as an image.
What is a .PCL file?
Everything worth knowing about HP Printer Command Language File files.
A PCL file is a print stream in HP's Printer Command Language, the format used by HP LaserJet printers and most laser printer brands since 1984. You cannot open it like a regular document; use a PCL viewer such as EscapeE or convert it to PDF with the free GhostPCL tool, then open the result in any PDF reader.
Programs that open .PCL files
| Full name | HP Printer Command Language File |
|---|---|
| Developer | Hewlett-Packard (HP) |
| First released | 1984 (PCL 1 with HP LaserJet original) |
| Category | Documents |
| MIME type | application/vnd.hp-pcl |
| Signature | 1B 45 (ESC E - printer reset sequence; the canonical start of a PCL job) |
Related viewers
Free, no sign-up.
Is my .PCL file uploaded?
No. Your .PCL file is opened and rendered for you. The first time, a small open-source rendering component is downloaded and then cached.
Why does the first file take a moment?
The first time, your browser downloads the rendering component. After that it's cached, and new .PCL files open in a second or two.
Why are some images shown as grey boxes?
Some .PCL files embed image types the browser can't draw (such as TIFF or JPEG XR). Text, vector graphics and standard PNG and JPEG images are shown normally.
Can I search inside my .PCL file?
Yes, when your .PCL file includes a text layer. Files that are pure scans or drawings without embedded text can't be searched.
Can I convert my .PCL file to PDF?
Not yet in this viewer. You can save any page as an image. A .PCL to PDF converter is on our roadmap.
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