JPG to PNG Converter

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) and PNG (Portable Network Graphics) are two of the most common image formats on the web, but they use fundamentally different compression approaches. JPEG uses lossy compression—it permanently discards some image information to reduce file size, making it ideal for photographs where minor quality losses are imperceptible. PNG uses lossless compression—it preserves every pixel exactly, making it ideal for graphics, screenshots, and images requiring transparency.



Converting JPG to PNG involves decoding the JPEG compressed image back to raw pixel data, then re-encoding that pixel data using the PNG lossless compression algorithm. The conversion is done using the HTML5 Canvas API in your browser: the JPEG is loaded into an image element, drawn onto a canvas, and then exported as PNG using canvas.toBlob() with the 'image/png' MIME type.



Important to understand: converting JPEG to PNG does not "restore" quality lost during original JPEG compression. The PNG will be a losslessly compressed version of the already-JPEG-compressed image. PNG files of photographic content are typically 3-5x larger than equivalent JPEGs, so convert only when the PNG format's specific advantages (losslessness, transparency support) are needed.

1. Adding Transparency to Images
JPEG format does not support transparent pixels—transparent areas become white (the JPEG background). When you need to add a transparent background to an image (for logo use on colored backgrounds, product photos on websites, or overlay elements), converting to PNG first is necessary since PNG supports full alpha channel transparency.



2. Preserving Screen Captures for Further Editing
Screenshots saved as JPEG suffer quality degradation, especially around text and sharp edges. Converting to PNG preserves these sharp transitions. When you plan to further edit an image (add text, apply filters, composite with other images), having a lossless PNG source prevents compounding quality loss with each save.



3. Archiving Images for Future Use
Images intended for archiving where they may be edited or re-exported later should be in a lossless format. Converting JPEG source material to PNG creates a master version that won't degrade with additional processing, even if the master already has some JPEG compression from the original.



4. Web Development Asset Preparation
Web assets like icons, UI elements, and product images often need to support transparent backgrounds to integrate cleanly into different page contexts. Converting base images to PNG allows background removal tools to work with the full pixel data and export clean transparent versions.



5. Digital Art and Design Source Files
Designers using Photoshop, GIMP, or Figma often need to import reference images in PNG format for compatibility with specific tools or workflows. Converting JPEG references to PNG ensures compatibility with layers, masks, and transparency features in these applications.

• PNG from JPEG won't recover lost quality: Converting JPEG → PNG creates a lossless PNG, but the lossy JPEG compression from the original can't be undone. Artifacts already present in the JPEG will be present in the PNG, just no longer compressed further.



• Expect much larger file sizes: A 100KB JPEG photo will typically become a 400-600KB PNG. This is expected—PNG doesn't use lossy compression, so the file must store full pixel data. If you need both smaller size AND quality, consider starting with a higher-quality JPEG instead.



• PNG is ideal for images with text: JPEG compression creates artifacts around sharp edges and text. If your image contains text or diagrams, PNG's lossless compression preserves crisp edges. Converting a JPEG with text artifacts to PNG doesn't remove the artifacts but prevents them from getting worse.



• Consider WebP as an alternative: Modern browsers support WebP, which provides lossless compression (like PNG) in a smaller file size, and also supports transparency. If you're creating images for web use only, WebP may be better than PNG.



• SVG for logos and icons: For logos, icons, and simple graphics that need to be rendered at many sizes, SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is superior to either JPEG or PNG. SVG files scale without quality loss.