How to Convert JPG to PNG: 4 Free Methods
CloudConvert converts JPG to PNG in one click. For no upload, Squoosh runs locally in your browser with lossless output.
Step-by-step
Understand that JPG to PNG cannot restore quality
Converting JPG to PNG does not add quality back — PNG is a lossless format, but the source JPG has already discarded pixel data during its original compression. The output PNG will be larger than the source JPG (PNG is less efficient for photos) but visually identical to the JPG, not to the original uncompressed image. Convert JPG to PNG when you need lossless editing going forward (avoiding further JPG generation loss) or when you need to add transparency to a JPG-derived image — not when you want to "improve" JPG quality. Tools like CloudConvert and Squoosh handle the conversion without changing pixel data — they just wrap the JPG payload in a PNG container.
Pick the right tool for the job
For one-off conversions, CloudConvert in the browser handles single files in seconds. For lossless editing without upload, Squoosh runs locally in your browser and lets you compare formats side by side. For designers, Adobe Photoshop and Photopea open JPG and let you save as PNG with full layer support. For CLI workflows, ImageMagick converts folders with a single command. All four are free or have a free tier.
Convert single files online
For one-off conversion, CloudConvert is the fastest path. Open the JPG, pick PNG as the output format, click Convert. The result is a PNG file with the same pixel dimensions as the source JPG. PNG file size will be 2-5x larger than the source JPG because PNG uses lossless compression. This is normal and expected — you trade file size for lossless preservation going forward. Download the PNG and verify it opens correctly in your image viewer.
Convert locally in your browser with Squoosh
Squoosh is the strongest option when upload is not acceptable. Open Squoosh in Chrome or Firefox, drop the JPG in, and the browser converts it to PNG using WebAssembly — files never leave your device. Squoosh shows a side-by-side preview of file size and quality for different formats, so you can confirm the PNG is what you want before saving. This is the preferred path for personal photos, confidential images, or any file that should not be uploaded to a third-party server.
Convert in Photoshop for editing workflows
Designers converting JPG to PNG typically want to edit the image further. Open the JPG in Adobe Photoshop (or Photopea for a free browser-based option), make the edits, then File → Save As → PNG. PNG supports layers, transparency, and lossless re-export — JPG does not. If you need transparency after editing, use the Magic Wand or Select Subject to isolate the foreground, then export as PNG-24 with transparency enabled. PNG is the standard format for icons, logos, and graphics that need crisp edges.
Run CLI conversion for scripted batches
For converting folders of JPGs to PNG, ImageMagick CLI is the fastest path. The command `magick mogrify -format png *.jpg` converts an entire folder in seconds. For more control, use `magick input.jpg -alpha on -background none -fill none ... output.png` to preserve transparency during the conversion. CLI conversion is the standard path for server-side pipelines, build scripts, and any workflow that handles images programmatically.
Recommended Tools
