Converting JPG to PNG is straightforward — every major OS includes a built-in way to do it. But before you convert, it helps to understand what you actually gain (and don't gain) from the change, so you're not carrying around huge PNG files for no reason.
What Changes When You Convert JPG to PNG
When you convert a JPG to PNG, you get:
- A lossless container: PNG stores pixels without further compression loss. Future saves won't degrade quality
- Larger file size: a JPG photo at 500 KB typically becomes 3–6 MB as PNG. PNG lossless compression can't compete with JPEG's lossy compression for photographs
- Transparency support: PNG supports alpha channels; the converted image won't have transparency yet, but you can now add it in an editor
What you do not get: better image quality. The JPG compression artifacts that existed before conversion are permanently baked in — converting to PNG doesn't remove them or restore lost detail.
When JPG to PNG Conversion Makes Sense
- You need to add transparency: PNG supports alpha channels; JPG doesn't. If you're removing a background from a JPG photo, converting to PNG first lets you save the result with transparency
- You need to edit and re-save multiple times: each JPG save re-compresses the image, progressively degrading quality. Working in PNG avoids this generation loss — save as JPG only for the final export
- A tool requires PNG input: some software or upload forms specifically require PNG. Convert once, use it
- Screenshots or UI mockups: if you have a JPG screenshot and need to use it in a PNG-only context (like certain game engines or design tools)
When JPG to PNG Conversion Doesn't Help
- "Better quality" for photos: JPEG compression artifacts can't be undone by format change. A blurry JPG becomes a blurry (but much larger) PNG
- Web use: PNG photos are 5–10× larger than JPG for no visible quality benefit. Use JPG for photos on the web, or WebP for even better compression
- Email attachments: PNG files are much larger — always use JPG for photo email attachments
How to Convert JPG to PNG on Windows
- Open the JPG file in Paint
- Click File → Save As → PNG picture
- Choose your save location and click Save
Alternative: right-click the JPG file → Open with → Photos → click the three-dot menu → Save as → select PNG from the format dropdown.
How to Convert JPG to PNG on Mac
- Open the JPG file in Preview
- Click File → Export
- Change the Format dropdown to PNG
- Click Save
How to Convert JPG to PNG Online (Free)
Most online image converters support JPG to PNG. Many browser-based tools also support it:
- Open an online converter in your browser
- Upload your JPG file
- Select PNG as the output format
- Download the converted file
For batch conversion (multiple files at once), desktop apps like IrfanView (Windows) or Preview's batch export (Mac) are more efficient than uploading files one by one.
JPG to PNG File Size Reality
Be prepared for large PNG files when converting photos:
- A 2 MP JPG at 85% quality (~500 KB) → PNG at ~3–5 MB
- A 12 MP iPhone photo JPG (~3 MB) → PNG at ~15–25 MB
After converting for a specific purpose (like adding transparency), use the image compressor to reduce the PNG size. Or convert to WebP with PNG to WebP — WebP gives you transparency support at much smaller file sizes than PNG.
Consider WebP Instead of PNG
If you're converting JPG to PNG for web use, WebP is usually a better target format:
- WebP supports transparency (same as PNG)
- WebP lossy compression: 60–80% smaller than PNG at similar quality
- WebP lossless: 20–35% smaller than PNG
- All modern browsers support WebP (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge)
Use PNG to WebP after your JPG→PNG conversion, or look for a tool that converts directly JPG→WebP, which skips the intermediate PNG step and saves significantly more space.