Convert String Catalog to Qt Linguist online

Upload a Xcode String Catalog (.xcstrings) file and download it as Qt Linguist .ts. Translation keys, plurals and placeholders are preserved. Free, no account needed.

Pick the source format or let the converter detect it from the file.

Choose the format you want to download.

Qt Linguist .ts

XML translation sources used by Qt Linguist and lrelease. Messages are grouped by context and compiled to binary .qm files at build time.

One file per language. Format documentation

Need it the other way round? Convert Qt Linguist to String Catalog.

From: Xcode String Catalog (.xcstrings)

String Catalogs were introduced in Xcode 15 and store all languages, plural variants and device variations of a project in one JSON-based .xcstrings file.

Used by: Xcode 15+, SwiftUI, iOS 17+. All languages in one file. Read the String Catalog format guide.

{ "sourceLanguage" : "en", "strings" : { "hello world" : { "comment" : "My Hello World description", "extractionState" : "manual", "localizations" : { "pl" : { "stringUnit" : { "state" : "translated", "value" : "Witaj Świecie!" } } } } }, "version" : "1.0" }
{
  "sourceLanguage" : "en",
  "strings" : {
    "hello world" : {
      "comment" : "My Hello World description",
      "extractionState" : "manual",
      "localizations" : {
        "pl" : {
          "stringUnit" : {
            "state" : "translated",
            "value" : "Witaj Świecie!"
          }
        }
      }
    }
  },
  "version" : "1.0"
}

To: Qt Linguist .ts

XML translation sources used by Qt Linguist and lrelease. Messages are grouped by context and compiled to binary .qm files at build time.

Used by: Qt, QML, C++. One language per file. Read the Qt Linguist format guide.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <!DOCTYPE TS> <TS version="2.1" language="pl"> <context> <name>AboutPage</name> <message> <source>Author</source> <translation>Autor</translation> </message> <message> <source>Website</source> <translation>Strona WWW</translation> </message> <message> <source>Version</source> <translation>Wersja</translation> </message> <message> <source>Found %n files</source> <translation> <numerusform>Znaleziono %n plik</numerusform> <numerusform>Znaleziono %n pliki</numerusform> <numerusform>Znaleziono %n plików</numerusform> </translation> </message> </context> </TS>
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE TS>
<TS version="2.1" language="pl">
    <context>
        <name>AboutPage</name>
        <message>
            <source>Author</source>
            <translation>Autor</translation>
        </message>
        <message>
            <source>Website</source>
            <translation>Strona WWW</translation>
        </message>
        <message>
            <source>Version</source>
            <translation>Wersja</translation>
        </message>
        <message>
            <source>Found %n files</source>
            <translation>
                <numerusform>Znaleziono %n plik</numerusform>
                <numerusform>Znaleziono %n pliki</numerusform>
                <numerusform>Znaleziono %n plików</numerusform>
            </translation>
        </message>
    </context>
</TS>

How to convert String Catalog to Qt Linguist

  1. Drop your .xcstrings file into the converter above, or paste its content.
  2. Click Convert. You get one .ts file per language.
  3. Preview the result, copy it or download the files.

What changes between String Catalog and Qt Linguist

  • String Catalog holds every language in one file, so the converter writes one Qt Linguist file per language found in the source.

Convert and translate in one place

If you need the Qt Linguist file in more languages, the fastest route is a free SimpleLocalize project: import the String Catalog file, add languages, run auto-translation with DeepL, Google Translate, OpenAI, Claude or Gemini, and download the result as Qt Linguist. The CLI does the same from CI with upload and download commands, so the conversion becomes part of your build. See also translating String Catalog files.

Frequently asked questions

Is the converter free?

Yes. There is no signup and no limit on the number of conversions beyond a few requests per second.

Are my files stored?

No. The file is parsed in memory, converted and returned in the same request. Nothing is written to disk or a database.

What about plurals and placeholders?

Plural forms are normalized to ICU message syntax and written back in the native form of Qt Linguist. Placeholders are kept, and Apple and Android specific syntax is translated between platforms. Read more in the pluralization guide.

Translate your Qt Linguist files

  • Import String Catalog or Qt Linguist files into a free project
  • Auto-translate with DeepL, Google, OpenAI, Claude or Gemini
  • Download in any of the supported formats or publish to the CDN
Start for free
No credit card required5-minute setup
"The product
and support
are fantastic."
Laars Buur|CTO
"The support is
blazing fast,
thank you Jakub!"
Stefan|Developer
"Interface that
makes any dev
feel at home!"
Dario De Cianni|CTO
"Excellent app,
saves my time
and money"
Dmitry Melnik|Developer