When you convert a PDF to an image, the two most common choices are JPG and PNG. Both work well, but they are not meant for exactly the same job. The best choice depends on what the PDF contains and how you plan to use the converted image.
The short version: choose JPG for smaller files and easy sharing. Choose PNG for sharper text and cleaner detail.
Quick comparison
| Question | Choose JPG | Choose PNG |
|---|---|---|
| Do you want smaller files? | Yes | Not usually |
| Does the PDF contain photos or scans? | Yes | Sometimes |
| Does the PDF contain sharp text, diagrams or screenshots? | Sometimes | Yes |
| Do you need the cleanest possible image? | Not always | Yes |
| Will you upload the image to a website or social media? | Often yes | Sometimes |
| Will you print or zoom in? | Use high DPI | Often better |
When to convert PDF to JPG
JPG is the practical everyday format. It is widely supported, easy to share and usually keeps file sizes manageable. If your PDF page contains a photo, scanned page, flyer, brochure or visual layout, JPG is often the right choice.
JPG is also a good option when you need to attach images to an email, upload pages to a website, insert them into a presentation or share them through a system that prefers image files over PDFs.
When to convert PDF to PNG
PNG is the better choice when clarity matters more than file size. If your PDF contains small text, screenshots, diagrams, charts, interface captures, forms or technical documentation, PNG can produce a cleaner result.
PNG is also useful when you plan to edit the image later. Because it is better at preserving sharp edges and text-like detail, it often holds up well in documentation, knowledge bases and visual instructions.
What about DPI?
Format and DPI work together. JPG or PNG decides the type of image file. DPI decides the resolution of the output. A low-DPI PNG may still look too small, and a high-DPI JPG may still be large enough for print.
For most uses, 150 DPI is a good starting point. Use 72 DPI for lightweight previews. Use 300 DPI if the image needs to be printed, zoomed or used in a professional layout.
| DPI | Works well for |
|---|---|
| 72 DPI | Thumbnails, quick previews and small web images. |
| 150 DPI | General sharing, readable documents and everyday use. |
| 300 DPI | Print, detailed output and high-quality page images. |
Examples
If you are converting a product flyer for a website preview, JPG at 150 DPI is probably enough. If you are converting a form with small text that someone needs to read clearly, PNG at 150 or 300 DPI is a safer choice. If you are converting a scanned receipt just to attach it to a message, JPG is likely fine.
| PDF type | Recommended format | Recommended DPI |
|---|---|---|
| Flyer or poster | JPG | 150 DPI |
| Scanned receipt | JPG | 150 DPI |
| Form with small text | PNG | 150 or 300 DPI |
| Screenshot-heavy document | PNG | 150 DPI |
| Print-ready page | PNG or JPG | 300 DPI |
| Social media post | JPG | 150 DPI |
Try both if you are unsure
There is no penalty for testing. If you are unsure, convert the same PDF page once as JPG and once as PNG. Compare the file size and image quality, then keep the one that fits your use case.
With pdf2image.online, you can choose either format before converting. It only takes a few seconds.
Private document?
If the PDF contains personal or confidential information, consider using the desktop app instead of uploading the file. It converts PDF pages to JPG or PNG locally on your Windows computer.