“Your iPhone photos (HEIC) won’t open on your PC” or “you need WebP images for your website” - these situations call for image conversion.
In this article, we explain how to convert images, covering the characteristics of JPEG, PNG, WebP and more, how to pick the right format, and how to convert right in your browser.
Image format basics
Each image format has its own strengths:
| Format | Strength | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| JPEG | Great for photos, small files, universal support | Photos, social media |
| PNG | Supports transparency | Logos, illustrations, screenshots |
| GIF | 256 colors, animation support | Simple animations |
| WebP | High compression with quality, animation support | Web images |
| HEIC | iPhone’s default, high compression | iOS device photos |
What is WebP?
WebP was developed by Google in 2010. It produces files 20-30% smaller than JPEG at equivalent quality, and is now supported by virtually all major browsers.
What is HEIC?
HEIC is the standard image format on iPhone and iPad. It keeps high quality in small files, but older software and some devices cannot display it.
How to choose: Use JPEG or WebP for photos, PNG or WebP when you need transparency, and GIF or WebP for animation. WebP is the all-rounder that balances size and quality.
Converting by use case
Photos for your website
Converting a 2 MB JPEG to WebP can shrink it to a few hundred KB with nearly identical quality. Pages load faster, which also helps search rankings.
HEIC photos on your PC
Windows built-in tools and older email software may not display HEIC. Converting to JPEG guarantees it works everywhere.
Logos and illustrations
Transparent PNGs work directly in website headers and flyers. When PNG gets too heavy, converting to WebP keeps transparency while cutting size.
Caution: Converting JPEG to PNG never improves quality. And converting a transparent PNG to JPEG fills the background with white. Always convert toward the format your use case needs.
How to convert an image
With the Tools Hub image converter, drag and drop an image, pick the target format and quality, and you are done.
Drop your image
Drag and drop an image onto the drop zone, or click to choose a file.
Pick the format and quality
Choose the target format (JPEG, PNG, WebP) and the quality setting.
Download the result
Preview the converted image and download it with one click.
The tool introduced in this article
Image Converter
Supports JPEG, PNG, WebP and more. All in your browser - images are never uploaded.
Balancing quality and file size
Converting is always a trade-off between quality and size. The key idea is that the best setting depends on the final destination:
- Photos on social media: Quality 80-85% JPEG or WebP is usually indistinguishable from the original to the eye, with a fraction of the size
- Web images: Start with WebP at quality 80 and check the result; lower it until quality loss becomes visible
- Print materials: Keep quality high (90%+). File size matters less than detail on paper
- Archiving: Keep the original format and highest quality - never convert repeatedly, because each JPEG/WebP generation loses a little detail
A good habit: convert from the original file, not from a previously compressed copy. Converting a compressed JPEG again degrades quality further - a process called generation loss.
Conversion tips
- Quality loss: Higher compression means lower quality in JPEG and WebP. Always keep the original file
- Transparency: PNG transparency is not carried over to JPEG (the background becomes white)
- Batch conversion: When converting many files at once, use a tool that handles multiple images together
- File names: Check that the extension (.jpg / .png / .webp) matches after conversion
Summary
- Match the format to the use case: JPEG/WebP for photos, PNG/WebP for transparency, GIF/WebP for animation
- WebP is the web-friendly format that keeps quality while cutting size
- HEIC is standard on iPhone but may need converting to JPEG for other environments
- Always keep your original images
- The Tools Hub converter works in your browser and never uploads your images
Next time you need to convert an image, use the steps above or the Tools Hub image converter.
FAQ
How do I convert an image to WebP?
Upload the image to the Tools Hub image converter and select “WebP” as the target format. You can also adjust the quality.
How do I convert HEIC to JPEG?
Drop the HEIC file into the image converter and pick JPEG as the output format. No special software is needed - it all happens in your browser.
Can I keep transparency when converting?
Converting PNG to WebP preserves transparency. JPEG cannot store transparency, so the background becomes white.
How much smaller will the file be?
WebP is typically 20-30% smaller than JPEG at equal quality, and often much smaller than PNG. The exact saving depends on the image content.
