PDF to JPG vs PNG – Which to Choose | Rune

When converting PDF to images, choosing between JPG and PNG affects quality, file size, and use cases.

JPG (JPEG)

Characteristics

• Lossy compression
• Smaller file sizes
• No transparency support
• Best for photographs

When to Use JPG

• Web images where size matters
• Photographs and photo-heavy PDFs
• Email attachments with size limits
• Social media sharing

Quality Consideration

Some detail is lost in compression. Higher quality settings reduce loss.

PNG

Characteristics

• Lossless compression
• Larger file sizes
• Supports transparency
• Best for graphics and text

When to Use PNG

• Documents with text
• Graphics and diagrams
• When quality is critical
• When transparency is needed

Quality Consideration

No quality loss—what you see is what you get.

Comparison Table

Aspect	JPG	PNG
Compression	Lossy	Lossless
File Size	Smaller	Larger
Transparency	No	Yes
Text Quality	Good	Excellent
Photo Quality	Excellent	Excellent
Web Use	Great	Good

WEBP Alternative

Modern option combining benefits of both:

• Excellent compression
• Supports transparency
• Great quality
• Modern browser support

Decision Guide

Your PDF Contains	Choose
Mostly text	PNG
Photographs	JPG
Graphics with transparency	PNG
Mixed content	WEBP or PNG
Need smallest files	JPG or WEBP

Using Rune

Rune's PDF to Image supports all three formats. Try different options to find what works best for your needs.

Conclusion

JPG for size efficiency, PNG for quality preservation, WEBP for the best of both. Choose based on your specific requirements.