PDF to JPG vs PNG: Which Format Should You Choose?
Compare JPG and PNG for PDF page exports. Choose between smaller files and avoiding JPEG artifacts around text, diagrams and scanned pages.
JPG for compact images
JPEG is useful for photographs, colorful scanned pages and everyday sharing. Compression reduces file size but can soften small text or produce halos around sharp edges. Web & Social Media uses 85% quality; Email & Compact uses 70%. Compare the result at normal viewing size before increasing quality.
PNG for lines and fine text
PNG avoids JPEG compression loss and often suits diagrams, tables or screenshots with sharp boundaries. In this tool, choose High Quality (Print & Docs), then select PNG in Print format. PNG is currently available through that preset, not as a general option for every preset.
What both formats lose
Both exports are flat page images. Selectable text, forms, links and PDF layers do not remain interactive. This converter uses a white page background, so choosing PNG does not make transparent exports. Neither format can restore detail absent from the source.
Make a fair comparison
Export the same page as JPEG and PNG using the Print preset so the pixel dimensions match. Inspect small characters and line edges, then compare actual file sizes. PNG is not always the smaller option. Keep your PDF when preserving document features matters more than obtaining an image.
Frequently asked questions
Is PNG available in this converter?
Yes, through the High Quality (Print & Docs) preset’s Print format selector.
Is JPG lossless?
No. JPEG uses lossy compression; PNG avoids JPEG compression loss, but both flatten PDF pages into images.
Try the free PDF to JPG tool →