PDF to PNG vs JPG: Which Format Offers Best Quality?
converting PDF to image? Learn the difference between PNG and JPG output to choose the right format for your needs.
When you need to turn a PDF into an image, you're usually faced with two choices: JPG or PNG. Both are popular, but they serve different purposes.
Which one should you choose? Let's break it down.
The Short Answer
- Choose PDF to JPG if you have photos or need smaller file sizes for email/web.
- Choose PDF to PNG if you have text/graphics or need transparency and maximum quality.
JPG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)
Pros:
- Small file sizes (highly compressible)
- Universal compatibility
- Good for photographs
Cons:
- Lossy compression (quality degrades with each save)
- No transparency support
- Text can look "fuzzy" (compression artifacts)
PNG (Portable Network Graphics)
Pros:
- Lossless quality (no detail lost)
- Supports transparency
- Sharp text and lines (perfect for screenshots/documents)
Cons:
- Larger file sizes
- Not ideal for printing photos
When to Use Which?
Scenario 1: Sharing a Document on Social Media
Winner: JPG Social media platforms compress images anyway. A high-quality JPG is perfect and loads fast.
Scenario 2: Archiving a Receipt or Invoice
Winner: PNG You want the text to be crisp and readable forever. PNG's lossless compression ensures no data is lost.
Scenario 3: Extracting a Logo from a PDF
Winner: PNG Use PDF to PNG to keep the background transparent (if the source supports it) and lines sharp.
Scenario 4: Email Attachment
Winner: JPG File size limits matter. A 10-page document in PNG might be 20MB, but only 2MB in JPG.
How to Convert
You can convert to either format instantly using Percime Tools:
- Upload to PDF to JPG Converter
- Or upload to PDF to PNG Converter
- Download your images instantly.
Both tools are free and leave no watermarks.