How to Convert JPG to PNG Without Losing Quality
Learn why and how to switch formats for transparency and lossless editing without degrading your images.
JPG is the king of photography, but it has limitations. It doesn't support transparency, and every time you save it, it loses a little bit of quality. That's where PNG comes in.
Whether you are creating a logo with a transparent background or preparing an image for heavy editing, converting JPG to PNG is a common task for designers and content creators.
This guide explains exactly how the conversion works and how to ensure you get the best possible results.
Why Convert JPG to PNG?
1. To Stop Quality Loss
JPG is "lossy." Every time you edit and re-save a JPG, it gets worse (generation loss). PNG is "lossless." Once converted to PNG, you can edit and save it a thousand times without losing a single pixel of quality.
2. To Add Transparency
JPGs always have a solid background (usually white). If you want to remove the background so your image can sit on top of other designs, you must convert it to a format like PNG first.
Not sure about the differences? Read our detailed JPEG vs PNG comparison guide.
The "Quality" Myth: Important Note
Crucial: Converting a JPG to PNG does not magically improve the quality of the original image.
Think of it like freezing food. Freezing (converting to PNG) stops it from rotting (losing more quality), but it doesn't turn a rotten apple into a fresh one. If your original JPG is blurry or pixelated, the resulting PNG will be exactly the same—just larger in file size.
How to Convert JPG to PNG
The process is straightforward and can be done in seconds using online tools or desktop software.
- Upload: Select your JPG file in the converter.
- Convert: The tool will re-encode the image data into the PNG format.
- Download: Save the new file. It will likely be larger than the original.
- Edit (Optional): Now that it is a PNG, you can open it in an editor to remove the background or make changes without fear of compression artifacts.
Need to save space instead? If your PNG files are too large for your website, you might want to go the other way. Read our guide on how to convert PNG to JPG to reduce file size.
When Should You Stick with JPG?
Don't convert everything to PNG blindly. You should keep your images as JPG if:
- It is a photograph with no text or sharp lines.
- You do not need a transparent background.
- File size is a concern (PNGs for photos can be 5-10x larger than JPGs).
- You are uploading to a platform that auto-converts everything back to JPG anyway (like some social media sites).
Other Useful Conversion Tools
- JPG to WebP Converter — Optimize images for web performance
- PNG to JPG Converter — Reduce file size for faster loading
- Image Compressor — Compress images without quality loss
- WebP to PNG Converter — Convert modern formats to universal PNG
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the file size increase?
Yes, almost always. Because PNG preserves all data losslessly, it requires more space than a compressed JPG.
Does converting to PNG remove the background automatically?
No. Converting format just changes the container. You still need to use an image editing tool to actively select and delete the background pixels to make them transparent.
Is PNG better for printing?
It can be, especially for graphics and text, as it avoids the "fuzzy" edges (artifacts) that JPGs sometimes have. However, for pure photography, high-quality JPG is usually sufficient.
Conclusion
Converting JPG to PNG is an essential step when you need to preserve image quality for editing or create transparent graphics. While it won't fix a low-quality source image, it prevents any further damage, making it the professional choice for design workflows.
