Convert Pictures To JPEG

Many websites and apps won’t allow you to upload a photo unless it ends in .JPG (also known as a JPEG). If your photos end in .GIF, .TIFF, .PNG or any other file extension, this can be super frustrating. While converting some images to JPEG will result in a less crisp picture, the format is known for its ability to retain the best possible quality in the smallest possible file size. While you don't have to be a computer whiz to convert an image to JPEG, you will need to learn a few tricks of the trade.

Steps

Using Preview on a Mac

1. Open your image with Preview. Preview comes pre-installed on your Mac and will open almost any type of image.Ctrl + click the image and select “Open With.” Choose “Preview.”
   • If you run into an image type that you can’t open or that looks wrong in the software, try using or .
   • The image has to be on your computer for this method to work. If you’ve not yet downloaded the image to your computer, you’ll need to do that first.
2. Click on the "File” menu and select “Export.” A box containing several menus will appear.
3. Change the format to JPEG. You can also adjust the quality and resolution if you wish. The higher the quality or resolution, the more space the photo will take up on your hard drive.
4. Rename the file and save. Make sure the name of your file ends with “.jpg” (case does not matter) then select a saving location that you’ll remember. Click “Save” to complete the conversion.

Using Paint in Windows

1. Open Paint. Paint comes pre-installed on your PC. Press ⊞ Win+S to open the search box and type paint. When you see “Paint” appear in the search results, click on it.
2. Open your image in Paint. Make sure the image is on your computer. Click the “File” menu and select “Open.” Locate your image and click “OK.”
3. Click “File,” then click the arrow next to “Save As.” A list of image types, including JPEG, will appear.
4. Click “JPEG.” This will launch a new box which allows you to choose a folder, rename the file, and select a “Save as type.” Navigate to a folder you’ll recall later and make sure “JPEG” is selected as the “Save as type.”
5. Rename the file if you wish, then click “Save.” Your file has been converted.

Using a Web Converter On a Computer, Smartphone or Tablet

1. Choose a web converter. This method works for any device connected to the web, including smartphones and tablets. Do a web search for “convert XXX to jpg online” (where “XXX” is the type of file you’re converting from) to browse through options. Sites like Online-Convert contain lists of all of the file types it can convert to and from.
   • Make sure any site you choose is capable of handling your image type. Some image types, such as .RAW files, are harder to convert online due to their size.
   • If you’re using a mobile device, use Wi-Fi instead of your data plan. Image files can be huge.
2. Upload your image. In your converter, find the button that says something similar to “Choose file” and locate the file you wish to convert. Note that many converters have maximum file sizes.
   • Read through the terms or usage policy before uploading.
   • Some converters allow you to enter a URL, which is great if your image is online.
3. Verify that the converter is ready to convert your file to a JPEG. Most converters will have a dropdown menu or button to press where you can select “JPEG” or “.JPG” (these two options will do the same thing). Some converters also allow you to modify the size and quality of the file on this screen.
4. Convert the image. Find the button that says “Convert” or “Save” to start the conversion. This could take several minutes. The image will either download automatically to your default download location or you’ll be prompted to choose one. Once the process is complete, your image will be converted to a JPEG.

Using Gimp on PC, Mac or Linux

1. Get Gimp. If you’re trying to convert an image type that isn’t supported in your current software, or if you just want an option that’s more robust, Gimp is massively popular and free. If you don’t already have Gimp installed, download and install it.
2. Open the image you want to convert. Click “File,” then “Open.” Select the image and click “Open” once more.
3. Click “File,” then “Export As” to choose the JPEG file type. A dialog box will appear with several options to choose from. Click “JPEG.”
4. Modify your options. A new dialog box will appear with options for your JPEG. Put a check in the box next to “Show preview in image window” before adjusting the image quality. Move the slider to the place where your image looks best in the preview.
5. Click “Export.” A box will appear that asks you to choose a new file name and location. Find a folder you’ll remember and give the file a new name if you’d like. The file already has .jpg appended to the end, so leave that part intact (the extension is not case-sensitive). Click “Save” to complete the conversion.

Changing the File Extension

1. Understand what changing the file extension does. If you have a JPEG file with the wrong file extension, such as if a typo has your file ending with “.JGP” instead of “.JPG,” this method will be useful. This method will not technically “convert” an image to a JPEG.
   • If your image file is not already a JPEG file, changing the file extension could break your file. See other methods if you’re hoping to turn a different image file into a JPEG file.
   • File extensions are not case-sensitive. .JPG and .jpg are the same thing.
   • Before you get started, make a note of the original file extension so that you can change it back if necessary.
2. Find your file. It could be on your desktop, as in the example, or in a separate folder you can access through Finder or Windows Explorer.
3. Make the filename editable. If you’re using Windows, you can skip this step. Mac users should click once on the image, click “File,” then “Get Info.” Click the arrow next to “Name and Extension” and remove the check from “Hide Extension.” Click “Save.”
4. Delete the current file extension. Erase everything after the “.” in the file name.
   • On a Mac, click the image once and press ⏎ Return. Click at the end of the file extension and press Delete until you’ve erased everything after the period.
   • In Windows, right-click the image and select “Rename.” Click at the end of the file extension and press ← Backspace to delete everything after the period.
5. Type JPG after the period. Upper or lowercase is fine. Your filename should look something like this: image.jpg. Press ↵ Enter or ⏎ Return.
6. Confirm your change. Whether you’re using a Mac or a PC, you’ll see a warning about how changing the file extension could make your file unusable. Click “Use.jpg” or “Yes” if you want to make the change. Your file name will now end in .JPG.

Tips

• JPEG files can end with either .jpeg or .jpg. They do not need to specifically be upper or lower case.
• Always back up your images before modifying them in any way.
• When uploading and downloading images, mobile data rates apply.

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Sources and Citations

See also

• Convert JPG to PNG
• Convert PDF to GIF
• Change JPEG to GIF

What links here

• Improve Jpeg Image Quality