How to convert JPG to PNG (3 steps)
- 1. Drop your JPG file into the converter above — drag-and-drop or click to select. You can also paste from clipboard on desktop.
- 2. Pixnova converts it to PNG instantly using the HTML5 canvas API running in your browser. No upload happens — your image stays on your device.
- 3. Download the PNG file in one click. The output keeps the original resolution and has no watermark.
What is JPG?
JPG (also written JPEG) is a lossy raster format from 1992, optimised for photographs. It compresses smoothly-varying color but discards fine detail to keep files small — great for the web, poor for editing or transparency.
What is PNG?
PNG is a lossless raster format released in 1996 as an open replacement for GIF. It stores every pixel exactly, supports full alpha transparency, and never degrades on re-save — the format of choice for screenshots, logos, and editable artwork.
JPG vs PNG: feature comparison
| Feature | JPG | PNG |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy (DCT) | Lossless (DEFLATE) |
| Transparency | Not supported | Full 8-bit alpha |
| Typical use | Photos for web | Logos, screenshots, editing source |
| File size | Small | 2–5× larger |
| Re-save quality loss | Yes — generational loss | None — identical every time |
| Best for animation | No | No (use WebP/GIF) |
When to convert JPG to PNG
Editing source file
Going to retouch in Photoshop, Figma, or GIMP? Convert to PNG first so re-saving doesn't compound JPG artifacts.
Adding transparency
Convert to PNG, then erase the background — JPG can't hold transparency, PNG can.
Screenshots & UI assets
PNG keeps crisp edges on text and lines that JPG smears into blocky artifacts.
Print-ready artwork
Many print pipelines reject lossy JPG for logos and line art. PNG is universally accepted.
Game & app sprites
Sprite atlases need pixel-perfect output with transparency — JPG breaks both requirements.
Document attachments
Sending an image to a designer? PNG preserves the original quality so they edit a clean source.
Pro tips for the best result
- Convert only when you actually need lossless or transparency. For photos staying on the web, JPG (or WebP) is smaller.
- After converting, run the result through Pixnova's background remover to get a true transparent PNG.
- If file size matters, run the PNG through Pixnova's image compressor — it can cut size by 40-70% with no visible quality drop.
- Don't convert back and forth (PNG→JPG→PNG). Each JPG round-trip permanently damages quality.
- For social-media uploads, stay with JPG/WebP — most platforms recompress PNGs anyway.
Why use Pixnova for JPG to PNG?
- Lossless conversion: every pixel from your JPG is written into the PNG exactly.
- 100% private — there is no upload endpoint; conversion runs entirely on your device.
- No signup, no watermark, no usage limits — convert as many JPG files as you want.
- Works on mobile, tablet, and desktop. Output is ready for design tools, web pages, or print.
- Open-format output — PNG is supported by every operating system, browser, and image editor in existence.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert a JPG to PNG?
Drop your JPG into the converter above. Pixnova renders it through an HTML5 canvas and saves it as a PNG — entirely in your browser. No upload, no signup, no watermark.
Will converting JPG to PNG improve quality?
No. JPG is lossy, so any detail removed during the original JPG compression is already gone — converting to PNG cannot bring it back. What it does prevent is further generational loss every time you re-save the image.
Does PNG support transparency?
Yes. PNG has a full 8-bit alpha channel, JPG has none. A JPG converted to PNG keeps its solid background, but you can then run it through Pixnova's background remover to get a true transparent PNG.
Why is the PNG file larger than the JPG?
PNG is lossless — it stores every pixel exactly. JPG throws away high-frequency detail to shrink the file. Expect a JPG→PNG to be 2-5× the original size; that's the price of lossless quality.
What's the maximum file size I can convert?
Pixnova is browser-based, so the limit is your device's available memory. In practice phones handle up to ~25MP comfortably; modern desktops handle 100MP+ without breaking a sweat.
Is the JPG to PNG converter really free?
Yes — 100% free, no account, no usage cap, no watermark on the output. Pixnova is funded by being lightweight and ad-free.
Are my images uploaded to a server?
No. The conversion runs entirely in your browser using the HTML5 canvas API. There is no upload endpoint — your files never leave your device.
Other free Pixnova tools
Need a different conversion? Try JPG → PNG, PNG → JPG, PNG → WebP, WebP → PNG, JPG → WebP, or WebP → JPG.
Beyond conversions, Pixnova also has a free AI background remover, a watermark remover, and an image compressor — all running 100% in your browser.