FormatDrop
How-To Guide

How to Convert JPG to PNG on Mac

Converting JPG to PNG on Mac is built into macOS — no downloads needed. Preview, sips, and Automator all handle it. Unlike the reverse (PNG to JPG), JPG-to-PNG conversion is lossless going forward — no further compression is added, though the JPG's existing compression remains. Use this when an app requires PNG format or you need the image to accept transparency in future edits.

Open JPG to PNG Converter

Step-by-step instructions

  1. 1

    Convert with Preview

    Open the JPG in Preview. Go to File → Export. Choose PNG from the Format dropdown. Set a filename and location. Click Save. Preview exports the JPG pixel-for-pixel as PNG — the existing JPG compression is preserved, no new quality loss is added.

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  2. 2

    Convert with sips (command line)

    Open Terminal. Single file: `sips -s format png input.jpg --out output.png`. Batch convert all JPGs in a folder: `for f in *.jpg; do sips -s format png "$f" --out "${f%.jpg}.png"; done`. sips is pre-installed on every Mac and runs instantly.

  3. 3

    Batch convert with Automator

    Open Automator → create a new Quick Action. Add 'Change Type of Images' action → set to PNG. Run on your JPG files. Automator creates PNG copies and can optionally keep the originals. Good for converting entire folders of JPGs to PNG in one click.

  4. 4

    Understand the result

    The converted PNG is lossless from this point, but it still contains the artefacts from the original JPG compression. PNG will be 2–5× larger than the JPG source. The image data is identical — no improvement in quality, no further degradation. If you need a truly clean PNG, start from the original uncompressed source.

Why convert JPG to PNG?

Some apps and workflows require PNG format specifically — for transparency support, lossless editing, or format compliance. Converting JPG to PNG on Mac is instant with built-in tools.

Your files never leave your device

FormatDrop runs the conversion engine entirely inside your browser using WebAssembly. No file upload. No server. Nothing stored. You can verify this by opening DevTools → Network tab and watching: zero upload requests.

Frequently asked questions

Does JPG to PNG improve quality?
No — converting JPG to PNG doesn't remove the lossy compression from the original JPG. The resulting PNG is lossless from that point forward (no further quality loss on re-save), but the JPG artefacts remain. To get a truly clean PNG, you'd need to re-take or re-create the image.
Why is my PNG so much larger than the JPG?
PNG is lossless — it stores every pixel exactly. JPG uses lossy compression to shrink file size by discarding information. Converting JPG to PNG stores the same visual data without compression, resulting in a much larger file. A 500 KB JPG typically becomes 2–5 MB as PNG.
When should I convert JPG to PNG?
Convert JPG to PNG when: (1) an app specifically requires PNG, (2) you want to add a transparent background to the image, (3) you need to do multiple rounds of editing without accumulating quality loss (PNG saves don't degrade quality). For general use, keep JPG for photos — PNG is better for graphics and transparency.
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