How to Easily Convert Images From PNG to JPG Format

PNG and JPG are two of the most common image file formats used online and for digital photography. Both are bitmap image types that store image data as a grid of pixels. However, PNG and JPG have some key differences that make each format better suited for certain uses over others. PNG images are lossless and thus maintain full image quality, while JPG uses lossy compression that trades off some quality for much smaller file sizes.

As a result, you may find yourself needing to convert PNG files to JPG format for web use, social sharing, device wallpapers and other purposes where the smaller JPG file size is beneficial.

In this guide, I’ll show you the quick and easy ways to convert PNG to JPG on Windows, Mac, iPhone/iPad and Android devices. Let’s dive in!

Also Read: How to Easily Convert a JPG to PDF on Any Device

Why Convert PNG to JPG?

But first, when and why would you want to convert a PNG file to JPG format? Here are some of the most common reasons:

• JPGs have much smaller file sizes, which is better for web use, email attachments, etc.
• JPGs are more widely supported across apps and devices than PNGs.
• Many programs and devices default to using JPG for photos, wallpapers and other images.
• The lossy JPG compression can be beneficial for photographs by smoothing out noise.
• PNGs with transparency are not always supported, so JPGs may be required.

The downside is that JPGs lose some fine image detail due to compression. But in most cases, the smaller file size advantage outweighs the mild quality loss.

How to Convert PNG to JPG on Windows PCs

Windows computers provide built-in ways to convert PNG files into the JPG format easily. Here are two simple methods.

Using Paint

Paint is a basic image editing app included free with Windows. Here’s how to use it for PNG to JPG conversion:

1. Right-click on the PNG file and select Open with > Paint from the pop-up menu.
2. With the image open in Paint, go to File > Save As and select JPEG picture as the Save as type.
3. Browse to the desired save location, give the new JPEG image a name, and click Save.

That’s all there is to it! Paint will automatically convert the PNG to JPG when saving.

Using File Explorer

You can also use File Explorer’s right-click menu to convert PNGs to JPGs:

1. In File Explorer, right-click on a PNG file and choose Print from the pop-up menu.
2. In the Print dialog box, select Microsoft Print to PDF under printers.
3. Click Print. A Windows Explorer save prompt will appear.
4. Save the file as a JPEG image. Be sure to change the file extension from PDF to JPG in the file name.
5. Click Save, and the PNG will be converted to a JPG.

This clever workaround uses the PDF printer to first convert the PNG to a PDF, which you then save as a JPG file.

How to Convert PNG to JPG on Mac

MacOS also provides a couple of easy methods to change PNG files into JPG using built-in Preview and Automator apps.

Using Preview

Preview is the default image viewer app on Mac. Here’s how it can convert PNGs:

1. Open the PNG file in Preview.
2. Go to File > Export in the menu bar.
3. In the export dialog box, change the Format to JPEG.
4. Select a filename and save the location for the exported JPEG version.
5. Click Save to complete the PNG to JPG conversion.

Preview makes it a breeze to quickly convert even large batches of PNG images to JPG in just a couple of clicks.

Using Automator

For bulk PNG to JPG conversion, you can use Automator to speed up your workflow:

1. Open Automator and select New Document > Service.
2. Add a Get Specified Finder Items action and set it to accept image files.
3. Add a Copy Finder Items action. Set destination to JPEG with desired quality level.
4. Save the Automator service as an Application with a name like “Convert PNGs to JPG”.
5. Right-click on a folder of PNGs in Finder and select your new service from Services to run it.

This super handy Automator workflow will quickly batch convert all the PNGs in a folder to high-quality JPG versions automatically!

Online PNG to JPG Converters

If you don’t have access to a Windows PC or Mac, you can still easily convert PNG files to JPG using free online conversion tools:

• Adobe PNG to JPG Converter – Quickly convert any PNG to JPG from Adobe.
• Convertio PNG to JPG – Supports bulk conversion and custom compression levels.
• CloudConvert PNG to JPG – Features advanced options and batch uploading.
• Zamzar PNG to JPG – Wide file size support up to 100MB.

These handy web apps make converting PNGs to JPGs a breeze. Just upload your PNG, get a download link for the JPG, and you’re all set!

How to Convert PNG to JPG on iPhone and iPad

iOS devices also provide built-in ways to convert PNG images to JPG without requiring any extra apps.

Using Share Sheet

You can quickly convert PNGs to JPGs right from the share sheet:

1. Open the PNG in Photos, then tap the Share button.
2. Scroll down and select Copy iCloud Link. This uploads the PNG temporarily.
3. Paste the iCloud link in your browser. Long press on the image and select Save Image. This will save a JPG copy to your device.

While a bit convoluted, this shares the image through iCloud, allowing you to save a JPG version to your device storage.

Using Shortcuts App

For batch PNG to JPG conversion, use the Shortcuts app:

1. Get the Convert Images shortcut from the Gallery.
2. Add a Get Files action and set it to grab images.
3. Add Set Format action to convert images to JPG.
4. Add the Save Files action to save the JPG versions to your device.
5. Run the shortcut on a folder of PNGs to batch convert them to JPG!

This automated shortcut makes converting piles of PNGs to JPGs in one go incredibly easy.

How to Convert PNG to JPG on Android

Android also provides a couple of quick methods to convert PNGs to JPGs without extra apps.

Using Google Photos

Google Photos lets you seamlessly convert PNGs to JPGs:

1. Open the Google Photos app and find the PNG image.
2. Tap the three-dot menu and select Download to save a JPG copy to your device.

While the downloaded copy won’t replace the original PNG in your Google Photos library, it provides an easy way to get a JPG version downloaded locally.

Using Adobe Acrobat Website

You can also use Adobe’s free web-based PNG to JPG converter:

1. Go to https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/online/png-to-jpg.html in your browser.
2. Tap Select a file and browse to the PNG you want to convert.
3. Select the PNG, then tap Open to add it to the tool.
4. Once processed, tap Download to save the converted JPG to your device.

This quick online tool effortlessly handles PNG to JPG conversions right in your mobile browser.

Alternative Ways to Convert PNGs to JPG

Beyond the built-in options on each platform, there are also numerous third-party apps and software utilities that can handle PNG to JPG conversion:

• Desktop software – Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, Affinity Photo, and many more have robust PNG to JPG conversion capabilities.
• Mobile apps – On Android and iOS, apps like ImageConverter, Photo & Picture Resizer, and InstConvert can convert PNGs.
• Cloud storage services – Google Drive, Dropbox and OneDrive allow PNG to JPG conversion during file uploads.
• Website uploading – Social networks like Facebook and Pinterest convert PNGs to JPGs when uploading images.

If, for some reason, the built-in conversion methods don’t work for your needs, one of these alternatives should be able to get the job done!

Optimizing JPGs for Best Quality and File Size

When you convert PNG images to JPG, you have control over the JPEG compression quality setting. Here are some tips for finding the optimal quality vs file size:

• For photos, aim for 60-80% quality. Higher risks large files with no visible quality gain.
• Simple logos, illustrations, and art go smaller with 50-60% quality without losing detail.
• Use progressive JPGs for the web, which load clearer as they download.
• Resize larger than needed JPGs before uploading to further reduce file size.
• Use EXIF data from the original to preserve metadata like orientation in the JPG version.

With some experimentation on compression levels, you can find the sweet spot between high visual quality and small file size that works for each JPG image.

Converting JPG Back to PNG Format

What if you need to go in the opposite direction and convert JPGs back to PNGs? Not a problem! Here are some quick ways to convert JPG images back into PNG format:

• Windows: Use Paint or photo editors to open the JPG and Save As PNG.
• Mac: The Preview app can open JPG images and export them as PNGs.
• iPhone & iPad: Use image editing apps to open JPGs and save them as PNGs.
• Android: Photo editing apps like Pixlr can convert JPGs back to PNG format.
• Online: Websites like CloudConvert can convert uploaded JPG files back into PNG format.
• Desktop software: Photoshop, GIMP, Affinity Photo, and more allow batch converting JPG files into PNGs.

So, if you need to go from JPG back to a lossless PNG image, you have several handy options to choose from across all platforms and devices.

Wrapping Up

Converting PNG image files to a more compatible and compressible JPG format is quick and easy with the built-in tools in Windows, MacOS, iOS and Android. In just a few clicks, you can convert single PNGs to JPGs right from your desktop, mobile device, or web browser. For batch PNG to JPG conversion, you can use advanced automation workflows on each platform as well. While there is some minor image quality trade-off, the benefit of much smaller file sizes in JPG format usually outweighs the negligible quality loss.

Hopefully, this guide has shown you several convenient ways to convert your PNGs over to JPGs on any device. Now you can easily optimize any PNG images for web use, sharing on social platforms, setting as wallpapers and any other needs where the smaller JPG file size is beneficial.