File format guides
Choose an output for the application where your file will be used. These guides explain common trade-offs in image quality, PDF extraction, audio encoding and camera RAW conversion.
Photos: JPG or PNG?
JPG uses lossy compression and works well for photos. PNG preserves pixel values and supports transparency. Converting a JPG to PNG will not restore detail that was already lost.
Explore JPG tools · Explore PNG tools
iPhone photos: HEIC and HEIF
HEIF is a container format; HEIC commonly contains HEVC-compressed images. Convert a copy to JPG for wider compatibility. PNG is useful when a lossless output matters, but the file can be larger.
PDF extraction and scanned pages
A PDF can contain selectable text, scanned images, or both. Text extraction works on embedded text. Scans need OCR. Extracted tables may need review because PDFs do not always store table structure.
Audio: file format is not quality
Converting a compressed MP3 to lossless FLAC does not recreate missing audio detail. Use a lossless original for editing, and choose a suitable bitrate for distribution.
RAW camera files
RAW conversion interprets sensor data. Color rendering may differ from your camera maker’s software, and proprietary formats can vary by camera model. Keep the original RAW file for editing.
Quick answers
Can format conversion restore quality that was already lost?
No. A lossless output cannot recreate pixels or audio detail discarded by earlier lossy compression. Keep the best original source for editing and export a copy for the destination application.
How should I choose a converter?
Identify the source format, the output required by your destination application and the features you need to keep. Then review the matching tool for limits such as transparency, animation, scanned pages, codecs or encryption.