To convert IMG to JPG, open the image in a viewer or editor and use Export or Save As to choose JPEG.
File folders fill up with screenshots, phone photos, scans, and art files. Some apps save to HEIC, PNG, TIFF, or RAW. When you need a small, widely compatible picture—email, forms, web uploads—JPG hits the sweet spot. This guide shows easy ways to convert an IMG to JPG on Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and the command line, plus smart settings for crisp results and small sizes.
Quick Picks: Formats And Fast Ways
Use this table to pick the fastest route based on the starting format. Every method below takes seconds and keeps quality in check.
| Source Format | Fast Built-In Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HEIC (iPhone) | Mac Preview → File → Export → JPEG | Most sites accept JPG; HEIC stays smaller on Apple gear. |
| PNG | Windows Paint → Save As → JPEG | Good for photos; keep PNG for logos or sharp UI art. |
| TIFF | Mac Preview → Export → JPEG | Pick quality 80–90 to reduce size a lot without a visible hit. |
| WEBP | Any browser or editor that opens WebP → Export JPEG | Great for web; convert only if a site needs JPG uploads. |
| BMP | Windows Paint → Save As → JPEG | Huge files shrink well as JPG. |
| RAW (CR3, NEF, ARW) | Photos app/editor → Export JPEG | Keep the RAW master; export JPGs for sharing. |
| PDF (single page) | Mac Preview → Export → JPEG | Use 200–300 dpi for documents. |
| SVG | Vector editor → Export JPEG | Rasterizes the vector; keep SVG for design work. |
How To Convert IMG To JPG — Step-By-Step On Every Device
Windows: Paint And Photos
Paint is faster than installing new tools. Right-click the picture → Open with → Paint. Choose File → Save As → JPEG picture. Pick a name, then save. Done.
Photos can export as JPEG as well: open the picture → Save As or Export → pick JPEG. Many Windows users still prefer Paint for quick format swaps since it’s always there.
Mac: Preview Or Photos
Preview opens almost any image. With the picture open, pick File → Export, choose JPEG, slide the quality to 80–90, and save. For batches, select many files in Finder, open them in Preview, and use File → Export Selected Images.
Photos on Mac also exports JPEGs. Select the image → File → Export → Export 1 Photo → choose JPEG and set quality.
If your source is an iPhone’s HEIC file, Apple’s help page confirms you can export to JPEG directly from Preview or Photos on a Mac. See the note on HEIF media on Apple devices for the exact menu path.
iPhone And iPad
You have two easy options. First, share the picture to a shortcut or app that saves a copy as JPG. Second, transfer to a Mac and export via Preview. If you want every AirDrop or cable transfer to come across as JPEG automatically, set your device to send “Most Compatible” versions when needed. Apple documents these choices on its HEIF guide linked above.
Android Phones
Most Android camera apps already shoot JPEG by default; many also offer HEIC. To convert an existing image, open it in the Gallery or Google Photos and use Save As or Export to create a JPEG copy. If your app lacks that menu, share the picture to an editor such as Snapseed and export as JPG.
Chromebook
Open the image in Gallery, click the overflow menu, and choose Save As if available or open in the built-in editor and export as JPEG. For batch jobs, web tools work well, but read the privacy tips below.
Linux
GIMP and ImageMagick cover everything. In GIMP, open the picture and use File → Export As → pick JPEG. The options include arithmetic coding, optimization, and restart markers that cut size while keeping detail. On servers, ImageMagick handles folders in one sweep.
Command Line: Fast Batches With ImageMagick
ImageMagick’s modern syntax uses the magick command. It’s reliable on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and it handles folders full of files in seconds. The official docs outline common patterns; start at the ImageMagick convert guide.
Single File
magick input.png -quality 85 output.jpgSet -quality between 75 and 90 for photos. That range keeps detail while shrinking size.
Batch All Images In A Folder
magick mogrify -format jpg -quality 85 *.pngmogrify writes JPEG copies next to your originals. Replace *.png with the formats you have, or run it on a folder path.
Resize And Convert Together
magick input.tiff -resize 1600x1600\> -quality 82 output.jpgThe backslash before > is for some shells. The limiter keeps the image within the box without upscaling small files.
Quality Settings That Just Work
JPG is lossy, so compression trims data you rarely notice. Pick a starting point from the table, then nudge up or down based on the image.
| Use Case | Quality % | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Social sharing | 70–80 | Small files, still sharp on phones. |
| Blog photos | 75–85 | Use 1600–2048 px on the long edge. |
| Product shots | 82–90 | Keep fine detail; add light sharpening first. |
| Scans of documents | 70–80 | Text stays readable; use 200–300 dpi. |
| Email attachments | 70–80 | Quick to send; aim under 1 MB each. |
| Client handoff | 85–92 | Trade size for fidelity if needed. |
| Archives for reuse | 90–95 | Prefer PNG/TIFF for masters when you can. |
Keep Color, Detail, And Data Straight
Color Profiles
Stick with sRGB for web and email. It matches the color space most screens expect. Editors let you embed the profile automatically in the exported JPG.
EXIF And Privacy
Export menus often include a “Remove metadata” checkbox. Turn it on when sharing online to strip GPS and camera details. Keep one unshared copy with full data for your records.
Progressive Versus Baseline
Progressive JPGs load in passes, which feels faster on slow connections. Most modern encoders offer this mode. It doesn’t change quality; it just changes delivery.
When To Keep The Original Format
Some files deserve to stay in their native form. Logos and UI elements look cleaner in PNG. Photographers keep RAW files for editing and archive. Scanners often produce TIFFs for a reason: lossless data, layered workflows, and big headroom for future edits. Convert a copy to JPG for sharing, but keep the master exactly as it came from the camera or scanner.
WebP And AVIF In Real Use
WebP and AVIF compress better than JPG on many photos. Both work in modern browsers and many apps. That said, some stores, CMS uploaders, and forms still ask for JPG files. When you run into that wall, do a quick export to JPG and move on. If your pipeline supports newer formats, keep them for the published page and save JPGs as upload-only copies.
Batch Naming, Folders, And Backups
Clear names save time later. Add a suffix like -web or -85q to each converted file. Keep exports in a sibling folder so your originals remain clean. Before big conversions, back up the source folder. On the command line, run ImageMagick against a copy, not the only set you have.
Print Versus Screen
Screen viewing rarely needs more than 1600–2048 px on the long edge. Prints care about dots per inch and the physical size. If you plan a small print, export at a higher pixel count and pick quality 90–95. For large posters, send the lab the original or a high-quality TIFF and let them handle prep.
Quality Myths That Waste Time
“100% quality is always better.” Not true. Past a point, the file grows while the picture barely changes. “JPG kills text every time.” Not if you resize thoughtfully and use a higher quality target. “Saving twice ruins a photo.” Repeated saves add up, but you can export once from the source and keep that copy for reuse. If edits are ongoing, keep a PNG, TIFF, or layered project file and create JPGs when you publish.
Quick Photo Tuning Before Export
Light edits improve conversions. Crop distractions, straighten horizons, add sharpening, and fix white balance. Small fixes rescue detail at the same JPG quality, which means smaller files without losing the look you want on phones and laptops.
Privacy And Safety When Using Web Tools
Online converters are handy, but read the privacy policy and avoid uploading sensitive shots. When in doubt, use built-in apps or offline tools. ImageMagick and GIMP are free and run locally. If someone asks you how to convert img to jpg, point them to an offline method first.
Wrap-Up And Quick Checklist
- Pick the fastest built-in route for your format and device.
- Start at quality 80–90 for photos; 70–80 for scans.
- Set sRGB, remove metadata when sharing, and try progressive.
- For batches, use
magickwith-qualityand optional resize. - Keep masters in PNG, TIFF, or RAW; export JPGs for uploads and email.
Use This Template When You’re In A Rush
# Windows (Paint)
Open > File > Save As > JPEG
# macOS (Preview)
File > Export > Format: JPEG > Quality 80–90
# iPhone
Share to an app that exports JPG or transfer to Mac and export
# Linux
gimp: File > Export As > JPEG
magick input.png -quality 85 output.jpgThis guide shows how to convert img to jpg without extra fluff. If you ever forget a step, remember this: open the file, choose Export or Save As, pick JPEG, set quality around 80–90, and save. That’s it.