Image Converter

Different image formats serve different purposes. Choosing the right format depends on your use case: **JPEG (JPG)** - The standard for photographs. Uses lossy compression to achieve small file sizes. Doesn't support transparency. Best for photos, screenshots, and images with many colors and gradients. **PNG** - Ideal for graphics, logos, and images requiring transparency. Uses lossless compression, resulting in larger files but perfect quality preservation. Supports alpha transparency for smooth edges. **WebP** - Google's modern format offering excellent compression for both photos and graphics. Supports transparency and animation. Smaller files than both JPEG and PNG at equivalent quality. Growing browser support makes it increasingly practical. **GIF** - The classic format for simple animations and graphics with limited colors. Supports transparency (but not partial transparency). Limited to 256 colors, making it unsuitable for photographs. **BMP** - Uncompressed bitmap format. Large files but perfect quality. Rarely used for web but sometimes required by specific applications.

**PNG → JPEG** When you need smaller file sizes for photos or screenshots. JPEG files are typically 60-80% smaller than PNG for photographic content. Convert when transparency isn't needed and some quality loss is acceptable. **JPEG → PNG** When you need to edit an image without further quality loss. PNG's lossless format prevents the cumulative degradation that occurs with repeated JPEG saves. Also useful when you need to add transparency. **Any Format → WebP** For web optimization. WebP typically produces files 25-35% smaller than JPEG and 25-50% smaller than PNG at equivalent quality. Modern browsers and platforms support WebP, making it an excellent choice for websites. **Photo → GIF** Only for simple graphics or animations. Converting a full-color photo to GIF dramatically reduces quality due to the 256-color limit. Use GIF only for simple graphics, icons, or animated content. **For Print: Use High-Quality Source** If converting for print purposes, always start with the highest quality source available. Print requires higher resolution than screen display—typically 300 DPI versus 72-150 DPI for web.

Transparency is a crucial consideration in format selection: **Full Transparency Support** PNG and WebP support alpha transparency, allowing pixels to be partially transparent. This enables smooth edges against any background—essential for logos, icons, and overlays. **Binary Transparency** GIF supports only "on/off" transparency—each pixel is either fully transparent or fully opaque. This creates jagged edges on curved elements and isn't suitable for anti-aliased graphics. **No Transparency** JPEG doesn't support any form of transparency. Transparent areas are typically filled with white or black when converting from PNG to JPEG. If you need transparency, JPEG isn't an option. **Background Considerations** When converting a transparent PNG to JPEG, you'll need to decide what color replaces the transparent areas. Our converter uses white by default, which works well for most documents and web use.

Format conversion often involves recompression, which can affect quality: **Lossless to Lossy** Converting PNG (lossless) to JPEG (lossy) always involves some quality loss. The amount depends on the JPEG quality setting. Higher quality means larger files but better visual fidelity. **Lossy to Lossless** Converting JPEG to PNG doesn't restore lost quality—the PNG will preserve the JPEG's existing compression artifacts perfectly, but you can't recover detail that was already discarded. **Lossy to Lossy** Converting between lossy formats (e.g., JPEG to WebP) compounds quality loss. Each compression pass discards more information. For best results, always convert from the highest-quality source available. **Generation Loss** Every time you save a JPEG, you lose quality. Converting JPEG→PNG→JPEG creates two generations of loss. Minimize conversion chains by keeping original files and converting directly from them.

Our converter processes images entirely in your browser using HTML5 Canvas and JavaScript: **Complete Privacy** Your images never leave your device. There's no upload to any server, no data collection, and no risk of your private photos being stored elsewhere. This is especially important for sensitive images. **No Software Installation** Use any modern web browser without installing applications. Works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and ChromeOS without platform-specific downloads. **Instant Processing** Because there's no upload/download overhead, conversion is nearly instantaneous. A typical image converts in under a second, regardless of your internet speed. **Offline Capability** After the initial page load, conversion works even without an internet connection. The processing code runs locally in your browser. **Consistent Results** Browser-based conversion produces predictable, consistent results across different computers and operating systems.

**Keep Original Files** Always maintain your original images. Store uncompressed or lossless versions as "masters" and convert copies for specific uses. You can always reconvert from the original, but you can't recover quality once lost. **Convert for Purpose** Don't use one format for everything. Convert to JPEG for photos on web, PNG for graphics needing transparency, and WebP for maximum web optimization when browser support allows. **Batch Convert Consistently** When converting multiple images for the same purpose, use identical settings to ensure visual consistency across your project. **Test Before Bulk Conversion** When processing many images, convert a few samples first to verify the output meets your needs before converting the entire batch. **Consider File Size Implications** Converting to a lossless format (like PNG) from a lossy format (like JPEG) will likely increase file size without improving quality. Only do this when you need lossless storage for editing purposes. **Use Appropriate Dimensions** Convert at the dimensions you'll actually use. There's no benefit to converting a 4000px image if it will be displayed at 400px—resize first, then convert.