Why convert JPG to PNG?
JPG is the default format for photos, so most pictures on your phone and computer are JPGs. Converting one to PNG makes sense in a few specific situations:
- A form or platform asks for PNG. Some upload forms, design templates, printing services and apps accept PNG only, or recommend it for graphics.
- You're going to edit the image several times. Every time a JPG is saved it's compressed again and loses a little detail. Working on a PNG copy avoids that, and you can export a final JPG at the end.
- You plan to remove the background in an editor. JPG can't store transparency, so a cut-out has to be saved as PNG (or WebP) to keep its see-through areas.
- A screenshot or graphic was saved as JPG by mistake. Converting it stops further damage to text and sharp lines while you keep working on it.
An honest note: PNG won't fix a JPG
Many people expect converting a JPG to PNG to “upgrade” it. It doesn't. When the JPG was first saved, some detail was permanently thrown away. The PNG stores the picture exactly as it is now, including any blur, blockiness or colour banding. It simply stops things getting worse.
Two other things to expect:
- The file gets bigger, often a lot bigger. PNG's lossless compression isn't designed for photos, so a photo saved as PNG is usually several times the size of the JPG it came from.
- The background stays the same. Converting doesn't make a white background transparent. If you need a signature on a transparent background, the Signature Resizer can remove the paper and save a transparent PNG.
JPG vs PNG at a glance
| Feature | JPG | PNG |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy, small files | Lossless, exact pixels |
| Transparency | Not supported | Supported |
| Size of a typical photo | Small | Much larger |
| Re-saving after edits | Loses a little quality each time | No loss |
| Best for | Photos, email, most upload forms | Screenshots, logos, text, graphics, editing copies |
When to keep the JPG instead
If your goal is a smaller file, a faster upload or sharing photos with friends, stay with JPG: PNG will only make the file heavier. And if a form says “JPG/JPEG only”, upload the JPG as it is.
Need a PNG that also fits a size limit? Convert first, then run it through Compress Image with PNG output: it reduces the number of colours to shrink the file while keeping it a PNG. To change the pixel dimensions as well, use the Image Resizer.
Tips for a clean result
- Start from the original, highest-quality JPG, not a copy that has been sent through a messaging app, which usually compresses photos again.
- Converting removes EXIF metadata such as GPS location and camera details, so the PNG is safer to share publicly.
- Need to go the other way later? PNG to JPG turns PNGs back into compact JPGs.