When a PNG beats a JPG
Each time a JPG is saved, it is compressed again and tiny blocks and halos build up around edges. PNG stores the image without loss, so it is the safer format while you are still working on a picture. Convert to PNG when you:
- plan to edit the image several times, for example adding text, arrows or a logo;
- want to cut out the subject later and need a format that can hold a transparent background;
- have to upload to a form, print shop or app that asks specifically for PNG.
What the conversion does not change
The PNG looks exactly like the JPG you started with, including any compression marks it already has. It also has no transparency yet: the background stays as it is. And the file grows, often by several times, because PNG keeps every pixel. When you are done editing and want a small file for sharing, go back the other way with the PNG to JPG converter, or shrink the image first with the image resizer so the PNG stays manageable.
Converting a batch
- 1Select your JPG files or drag a whole folder's worth onto the box.
- 2Each photo turns into a PNG as soon as it is added. There are no settings to pick, because PNG is lossless.
- 3Save the files one by one, or get all of them in a single ZIP.
Need a smaller file instead of a lossless one? The image compressor reduces JPG size while keeping the format.
Frequently asked questions
Is PNG better quality than JPG?
PNG is lossless, so it never throws away detail when you save it. Converting a JPG to PNG keeps the photo exactly as it is now. It cannot bring back detail the JPG compression already removed, but every edit you save from here on adds no new loss.
Why is my PNG so much bigger than the JPG?
JPG gets its small size by discarding fine detail. PNG stores every pixel, so a photo saved as PNG is often several times larger. That is the price of lossless storage. If you only need a smaller file, keep the JPG or try the image compressor instead.
Does converting make the background transparent?
No. A JPG has no transparency, so the PNG has the same solid background as the photo. PNG can hold a transparent background, which you can then cut out in an image editor.
Does it work with .jpeg files?
Yes. JPG and JPEG are the same format with two spellings of the file extension. Both work, and so do photos straight from a phone or camera.
Are my photos uploaded?
No. Your browser opens each JPG and writes the PNG on your own device. Nothing is sent to a server, so private photos stay private.