OrdenaPDF

How to convert a PDF to JPG (and when PNG is better)

5 min read

PDF is perfect for preserving a document's layout, but it isn't always the most practical format. In a chat, an image shows up instantly, while a PDF has to be downloaded and opened. Many social networks don't accept PDFs, and some online forms only allow photos. In all those cases, the answer is to convert the pages into images.

Step by step

  1. Go to PDF to JPG and drag your file onto the box, or click to choose it.
  2. Wait a few seconds for the thumbnails of all pages to appear. There's no page limit.
  3. Choose the format: JPG for photos and documents you'll share, PNG for small text, drawings or charts.
  4. Choose the quality: 150 DPI works for almost everything; 300 DPI if you'll print.
  5. Tap the thumbnails to select or deselect pages. All pages are selected by default.
  6. Download a single page with the button under it, or all selected pages in a ZIP file.

JPG or PNG: which one?

JPG compresses the image by discarding details you barely notice, so files are small. It's the best choice for pages with photographs and for messaging apps. PNG loses no detail: letters and fine lines stay perfectly sharp, at the cost of larger files. For a contract, a floor plan or a spreadsheet exported to PDF, PNG usually looks better.

What resolution do I need?

  • 72 DPI: quick preview on a phone or thumbnails. Very small files.
  • 150 DPI: comfortable on-screen reading, presentations and social media. The recommended option.
  • 300 DPI: printing, or when you need to zoom into small details. Several megabytes per page.

If a form limits image size, try JPG at 150 DPI first. It's almost always under 1 MB per page and the text is still easy to read.

How to open the ZIP

When you convert several pages, the images are downloaded together in a ZIP file so you don't have to save them one by one. On Windows and Mac, just double-click it. On Android, open it in the Files app and tap Extract. On iPhone, tap it in the Files app and a folder with the images will be created; you can then save them to Photos.

Privacy

The conversion happens inside your browser: the PDF is never uploaded to a server. That's why you can safely use it for personal documents like bank statements, certificates or contracts.

Ready to try it? It's free and needs no sign-up.

Open PDF to JPG