HEIC vs JPG: quality, file size, and when to convert
Keep HEIC originals when they work in your photo workflow. Make a JPG copy when a website, recipient, or editing tool specifically needs JPEG. Converting is a compatibility step; it does not recover missing detail or guarantee a smaller file.
What are HEIC, HEIF, and JPG?
HEIF is an image container that can use different compression methods. HEIC commonly identifies HEIF images compressed with HEVC. Microsoft describes this relationship in its HEIF codec documentation. The similar names do not mean that every file with a HEIF extension contains an identical type of image.
JPG and JPEG refer to the same image format; this converter saves copies with the .jpg extension. JPEG compression discards some visual information, which is why a smaller result may show artifacts or lose fine detail. Google’s image optimization guidance explains that lossy tradeoff.
Which format should you use?
| Your goal | Practical choice |
|---|---|
| Keep your camera originals | Retain the HEIC files and a backup. A JPG export is a separate copy. |
| Submit to a site that accepts JPG only | Create a JPEG copy and check its dimensions and file size. |
| View HEIC on a Windows PC | Check native HEIF support, or convert a copy if that suits your workflow. |
| Meet a strict upload size | Adjust the output dimensions and quality, then check the actual result. |
| Preserve Live Photo or depth features | Keep the original media; this tool exports a still JPG only. |
Apple describes HEIF as a space-saving capture option and JPEG as a more widely compatible option. That is a reason to export selectively rather than replacing your entire library. Read Apple’s format and sharing guidance.
Will converting make the file smaller?
There is no fixed HEIC-to-JPG size ratio for this tool. A JPEG can be larger than its HEIC source. Dimensions, image detail, and the selected quality all affect the result. Compare the downloaded file with the destination’s limit instead of assuming that a different extension means fewer bytes.
In the converter, 90% is the starting quality setting. If the output is too large, lower quality or cap the longest edge at 2,400, 1,600, or 800 pixels. Resizing removes pixels; increasing quality afterward cannot put them back. Judge an important image at its intended display or print size.
Does 100% quality preserve everything?
No. The quality slider controls JPEG encoding. It is not a percentage of the original information preserved, and 100% does not make this conversion lossless. For another attempt, start from the original HEIC rather than repeatedly editing and saving a JPG copy.
This tool does not copy camera or location metadata. It exports one still image, without Live Photo video, depth data, or all frames of a multi-image container. Transparent pixels are composited onto white. HDR colours may differ from the original, so check demanding colour or archival work in an application designed for that purpose.
Convert only the copies you need
Choose HEIC or HEIF files, select quality and dimensions, and click Convert to JPG. You can save individual results or prepare a ZIP and then choose Save ZIP. The limits are 30 files, 25 MB each, 150 MB per batch, and 40 megapixels per input image. Conversion happens in your browser without uploading your image files to this site.
For device-specific instructions, follow the iPhone guide or Windows guide. Keep your original until the JPG has been checked and accepted where you need it.