Image Converter

What this tool does

Image Converter transforms images between different file formats: JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF, and BMP. Each format has distinct characteristics—different compression methods, transparency support, and compatibility profiles. Converting lets you optimize images for specific platforms, reduce file sizes, enable transparency, or ensure compatibility with systems that require particular formats.

The conversion process decodes your source image and re-encodes it in the target format at full quality by default. This is fundamentally different from renaming a file extension, which doesn't actually change the underlying data structure.

How to use this tool

1. Upload an image file or paste a URL to an image you want to convert.

2. Preview the loaded image to confirm it's the correct file.

3. Select your desired output format from the format options (JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF, BMP).

4. Click convert to process the image.

5. Download the converted file in your chosen format.

Common use cases

• Convert PNG screenshots to JPEG for smaller email attachments
• Transform JPEG photos to PNG when you need lossless quality
• Convert images to WebP for faster website loading
• Change BMP files to JPEG for web compatibility
• Convert graphics with transparency from PSD exports to PNG
• Transform WebP images to JPEG for platforms that don't support WebP
• Convert GIF stills to PNG for better quality static images
• Prepare images in multiple formats for responsive web delivery

Key features and behavior

Format characteristics

JPEG: Best for photographs. Uses lossy compression achieving small files. No transparency support. Universal compatibility. Quality 100 still has some compression.
PNG: Best for graphics, screenshots, and images needing transparency. Lossless compression, larger files than JPEG for photos. Full alpha transparency support.
WebP: Modern format with excellent compression for both photos and graphics. Supports transparency. Smaller than JPEG at equivalent quality. Requires modern browser support.
GIF: Limited to 256 colors. Supports simple transparency and animation. Best for simple graphics, not photographs.
BMP: Uncompressed format, very large files. Maximum quality but impractical for web use. Good for certain legacy applications.

Transparency handling

When converting from formats with transparency (PNG, WebP, GIF) to formats without it (JPEG, BMP), transparent areas become solid. By default, they fill with white. If your source has transparency and you need to preserve it, choose PNG or WebP as output.

Quality preservation

The converter uses maximum quality settings by default. Converting lossless-to-lossless (PNG to WebP lossless) preserves exact pixel data. Converting to lossy formats (JPEG) applies high-quality compression that's visually lossless for most images but technically discards some data.

Color depth considerations

Different formats support different color depths. JPEG and PNG support millions of colors (24-bit). GIF is limited to 256 colors, so converting a photograph to GIF causes visible color banding. WebP supports both lossy and lossless modes with full color depth.

Tips and limitations

• Converting JPEG to PNG doesn't recover lost quality from original compression
• GIF conversion from photographs causes severe quality loss due to 256 color limit
• WebP isn't supported by all applications and older browsers
• Animated GIFs converted to other formats become static (first frame only)
• CMYK images may shift colors when converted to RGB formats
• Very large images may take longer to process

FAQ

Which format has the smallest file size?

For photographs: WebP, then JPEG, then PNG. For graphics with few colors: PNG can be smaller than JPEG. GIF is small only for very simple images. BMP is always the largest (uncompressed).

Can converting to PNG make my JPEG higher quality?

No. Converting a JPEG to PNG preserves the current state exactly but cannot recover detail lost to JPEG compression. You get a larger file with the same visual quality. Always convert from the highest quality source available.

Why did my transparent background turn white?

JPEG and BMP formats don't support transparency. When converting from PNG or WebP with transparent areas, those areas must fill with a solid color. Keep your image as PNG or WebP if you need transparency.

What format should I use for website images?

WebP provides the best balance of quality and file size for modern browsers. Use JPEG as a fallback for older browsers. PNG is necessary only for images requiring transparency or pixel-perfect graphics.

Is converting an image the same as changing the file extension?

No. Renaming "photo.png" to "photo.jpg" doesn't change the file's internal structure—it remains PNG data with a misleading name. True conversion decodes and re-encodes the image data into the target format.

Does converting images remove metadata?

It depends on the format and conversion process. JPEG preserves EXIF by default. PNG doesn't support full EXIF. WebP varies. If metadata preservation matters, verify the output file or use specialized tools.

Can I convert to multiple formats at once?

This tool converts to one format per operation. Upload the same source image multiple times and select different output formats to create multiple versions.

Why is my converted WebP not opening in some applications?

WebP is relatively new and requires updated software support. Older versions of Photoshop, some email clients, and legacy browsers may not open WebP files. Convert to JPEG or PNG for maximum compatibility.