To save something as a JPEG, open the file, pick Export or Save As, choose JPEG/JPG, set quality, and save a copy.
JPEG is the most shared image format on the web. It loads fast, works on nearly every device, and keeps file sizes small with adjustable compression. If you came here asking how to save something as a jpeg, you’ll find clear steps for Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and popular web tools. You’ll also see when JPEG makes sense, when it doesn’t, and smart settings that keep edges and text clean.
How to Save Something as a JPEG on Any Device
Start with the tool you already have. Most built-in apps can export to JPG. In each app, open the file, pick File > Save As or File > Export, then select JPEG or JPG from the format list. The quick table below shows where the option lives in common apps.
Fast Menu Paths By App
| Platform/App | Menu Path To JPEG | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Paint | File > Save as > JPEG picture | Great for quick crops, text, arrows. |
| Windows Photos | Edit > Save a copy > Choose JPEG | Basic fixes, fast export. |
| Snipping Tool | Save icon > Save as type > JPG | Ideal for screenshots. |
| Microsoft Word | Right-click image > Save as Picture > JPEG | Exports the selected image only. |
| PowerPoint | File > Export > Change File Type > JPEG | Good for slide images. |
| macOS Preview | File > Export > Format: JPEG | Adjust the Quality slider. |
| Mac Photos | File > Export > Export [n] Photos > JPEG | Batch export works well. |
| iPhone Photos | Shortcuts > Convert Image > JPEG | Use a simple Convert Image shortcut. |
| Android | Share > Save as copy (app-dependent) | Google Photos writes a JPG copy. |
| Canva (Web) | Download > File type: JPG | Quality slider appears on export. |
| Adobe Photoshop | File > Export > Export As > JPEG | Fine-tune quality and color space. |
Windows: Paint, Photos, And Snipping Tool
Paint: Open the image, press Ctrl+S to save any edits, then use File > Save as > JPEG picture to write a JPG copy. Give the copy a new name so you don’t overwrite a PNG.
Photos: Open the picture, pick Edit, apply changes, then select Save a copy and choose JPEG. Pick a folder and filename that make sense later.
Snipping Tool: Capture the screenshot, click Save, then set File type to JPG. Leave default quality for a small, shareable file.
Mac: Preview And Photos
Preview: Open the file, pick File > Export, set Format to JPEG, and move the Quality slider. A small step down can cut size by half with little change to the eye.
Photos: Select the pictures, pick File > Export > Export [n] Photos, set Photo Kind to JPEG, and choose size and quality. Export to a new folder to keep versions tidy.
iPhone And Android
iPhone: Add Apple’s free “Convert Image” shortcut, then open a photo, tap Share > Convert Image, pick JPEG, and save to Photos or Files. The shortcut lets you set default size and quality.
Android: In Google Photos, open a picture, tap the three dots, choose Save as copy when the file is HEIC, then share or download the JPG. Many gallery apps include Export as JPG in their menus.
Design Tools And PDFs
Canva: Click Download, choose JPG, set the quality slider, and export. For crisp UI shapes, try PNG if edges look fuzzy.
Figma: Select a frame or layer, press Shift+Cmd/Ctrl+E, set Format to JPG, and export. For banners, match the pixel size you need so the browser doesn’t stretch the image.
PDF to JPG: On Mac, open in Preview and pick File > Export > JPEG. On Windows, open the PDF page in Photos or Paint via a print-to-image step, then Save as JPEG. For private docs, avoid online converters and stick to local tools.
When JPEG Makes Sense (And When It Doesn’t)
JPEG shines for photos, social posts, web banners, and email. Compression smooths gradients and hides fine grain while keeping files light. You can dial the quality to match the job, from tiny thumbnails to printable handouts.
Skip JPEG when you need transparency, sharp flat graphics, or tiny text at small sizes. PNG handles logos and UI icons better. For line art, charts, and vector shapes, export SVG or PDF. For long edit sessions, keep a layered master in PSD, .paint, or another native format, then write a JPEG copy for sharing.
Quality Settings That Actually Matter
Most exporters show a Quality slider or number. Higher values keep detail but raise file size. Mid-range values often look the same to the eye yet cut storage and speed up loads. Test one image at two or three levels, then pick the lightest file that still looks clean at 100% zoom.
Color Space, Subsampling, And Metadata
Color space: sRGB is the safe pick for web and cross-device sharing. Wide-gamut modes can shift on old displays.
Chroma subsampling: 4:2:0 stores fewer color samples to shave bytes. Faces and skies still look smooth. For text over photos, 4:4:4 can keep edges cleaner.
Metadata: Stripping EXIF can cut kilobytes and remove location info. Many exporters include a “remove metadata” toggle.
How to Save Something as a JPEG Without Losing Quality
Lossy compression trades detail for size. The simple way to keep quality is to save a master first and export JPEG only at the end. Use non-destructive edits where you can. If you must re-save a JPEG, set a higher level than the original to limit new artifacts, or reopen the master and write a fresh copy.
Step-By-Step: A Clean Export Workflow
- Open or create the image in your editor of choice.
- Finish crops, retouching, and text first.
- Save a master in the app’s native format with layers.
- Pick File > Export (or Save As) and select JPEG/JPG.
- Set Quality to a mid or high level; preview at 100% zoom.
- Choose sRGB, turn off extra metadata if privacy matters.
- Save to a folder named “Exports” so versions stay organized.
Two Trusted How-Tos From The Makers
On Mac, Preview converts many formats to JPG with File > Export and a simple slider. See the exact Preview export steps.
Working in Photoshop? Adobe explains the Export As route with quality, color space, and resample controls. Read the PSD to JPG walkthrough.
File Size, Quality, And When To Pick PNG Instead
JPEG isn’t the right answer every time. Look at the content. Photos with grain, skin, wood, and sky compress well. Flat UI blocks, tiny text, and thin lines don’t. If a banner or screenshot looks fuzzy after export, switch to PNG or raise quality by one notch.
Expected Results From Common Quality Levels
| Quality Level | Approx. Size Cut | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| 100% (Max) | Little to no cut | Archival copy, print-ready proofs |
| 90% | Small cut | Hero images, light edits |
| 80% | Medium cut | Blog posts, product photos |
| 70% | Large cut | Social, email, galleries |
| 60% | Very large cut | Thumbnails, drafts |
| 50% | Heavy cut | Fast previews only |
| 30–40% | Extreme cut | Placeholders, low-bandwidth needs |
Troubleshooting: Missing JPEG Or Greyed-Out Options
Some apps tuck JPEG behind Export, not Save As. Try File > Export or check the Share menu. If JPEG is greyed out, your source may have layers, transparency, or a color mode the app can’t flatten on Save As. Use Export As, or make a copy that flattens layers first.
On Mac, Preview opens many odd formats; Export usually works. On Windows, Paint can open a wide range and write a .jpg copy. If a HEIC photo won’t save as JPG on mobile, send it through the system share sheet and choose Save as copy.
Quick Fixes For Blurry Text Or Halo Edges
- Raise the Quality slider by one step and export again.
- Switch to 4:4:4 subsampling if the option exists.
- Apply a light sharpen after export; avoid over-sharpening.
- For UI screenshots, switch to PNG.
- Check that the color space is sRGB.
Quick Recipes By File Type
PNG To JPEG
Open the PNG and export as JPEG. If the PNG has transparent areas, add a white or brand-color background layer first, then export. Without a background, transparency turns into a flat fill on export.
HEIC To JPEG
On iPhone, use the Convert Image shortcut and pick JPEG. On Mac, open the file in Preview and export as JPEG. On Windows, open the HEIC in Photos and Save a copy as JPG. Batch jobs are faster from Mac Photos or Preview.
WEBP To JPEG
Many browsers and tools now save WEBP by default. Open the image in your editor, choose Export, and pick JPG. If edges look soft, increase quality one notch or switch to PNG for UI elements.
PDF Page To JPEG
Use Preview on Mac or a print-to-image step on Windows, then save the page as a JPG. Match the output size you need so you don’t upscale later.
Sizing For Web: Dimensions And Compression
Right-size your canvas before you export. A hero banner that displays at 1600×900 should be exported close to that size. Sending a 6000-pixel image and letting the site shrink it wastes bandwidth. A simple rule: export at or slightly above the largest display size.
Use a mid-high quality level for photos that sit above the fold, and a lower level for thumbnails and galleries. Check the result at 100% and 200% zoom. If banding shows in skies or gradients, bump the level up one step.
Naming, Folders, And Versioning
Good names save time. Use a pattern like project-name_subject_widthxheight_q80.jpg. Store masters in a “Source” folder and exports in an “Exports” folder so you never overwrite work files. Add dates only when they help you sort a series.
Keep the master small by linking to assets rather than embedding large raws. When a change comes in, update the master and write a fresh JPG. That habit avoids stacked compression from repeated re-saves.
Accessibility And Alt Text Basics
Add short, plain alt text that describes the content, not the file name. Write what a person needs to grasp the image’s purpose. Skip phrases like “image of” since screen readers already announce that. If text appears inside the picture, include the words in alt text or pair the image with real HTML text.
Batch Jobs: Convert Folders In One Go
Need many JPGs at once? On Mac, open a set in Preview, select all thumbnails, then File > Export Selected Images and pick JPEG. In Mac Photos, select the group and use File > Export. In Photoshop, File > Export > Export As lets you set JPG and process many files. On Windows, look for batch tools that preserve date stamps and folder names so your catalog stays clean.
Final Checks Before You Hit Save
- Finish edits, then save a master in a layered format.
- Export a JPG in sRGB at the display size you need.
- Pick a quality level that looks clean at 100% zoom.
- Strip extra metadata if file size or privacy matters.
- File it in an “Exports” folder with a clear name.
With that simple pattern, how to save something as a jpeg stops being a guess and turns into a repeatable habit. If a menu path slips your mind, the table at the top points you to the right spot, and the two linked guides from Apple and Adobe give step-by-step screens when you need them.