Why convert HEIC to PNG
HEIC is the default photo format on many iPhones and iPads. It saves space, but some desktop programs, older editors, and web forms do not open it. PNG is a widely supported format that stores every pixel exactly as it appears. That makes it a good choice when you plan to edit a photo, cut out a subject, or place it on a colored background.
What to expect from the conversion
The PNG you get will contain the same pixels as the HEIC. No compression artifacts are added during the format change. However, PNG files are usually much larger than the original HEIC or a JPG of the same photo. A phone photo that is 2–5 MB as HEIC can easily become 15–40 MB as PNG, depending on resolution and detail. That size difference matters if you are emailing files, uploading to a website, or storing many images.
When JPG is the better choice
Use JPG instead of PNG when:
- You need a small file for email, messaging, or a website.
- The image is a photograph with smooth gradients and no transparency.
- You do not plan to edit and re-save the file many times.
JPG uses lossy compression, so some detail is discarded to make the file smaller. For a single conversion from HEIC, the difference is often hard to see at normal viewing sizes. But if you need to keep every pixel for editing, PNG is the safer option.
HEIC vs PNG vs JPG at a glance
| Feature | HEIC | PNG | JPG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical file size for a phone photo | 2–5 MB | 15–40 MB | 1–3 MB |
| Compression type | Lossy | Lossless | Lossy |
| Transparency support | Yes | Yes | No |
| Best for | Phone storage | Editing, graphics | Sharing, web |
| Opens in most desktop apps | Sometimes | Yes | Yes |
How to choose the right output
If you are editing a photo in a program like Photoshop, GIMP, or Affinity Photo, choose PNG. You can make changes and save repeatedly without adding new compression artifacts. If you are sending the photo to a friend or posting it online, choose JPG to keep the file small. If you need a transparent background, PNG is the only option among these three.
Converting multiple files
You can select several HEIC files at once. The tool converts each one in your browser and gives you a separate download for each PNG. There is no batch limit, but converting many large photos at once may use a lot of memory on your device. If the browser becomes slow, convert a few files at a time.
Privacy and offline use
All processing happens on your device. Images are never uploaded to a server, and nothing is stored after you close the page. Once the page has loaded, you can disconnect from the internet and still convert files. There is no sign-up, no email required, and no watermark added to the output.
Questions
Is converting HEIC to PNG lossless?
The conversion itself does not add compression artifacts. The PNG will contain the same pixels as the HEIC. However, the original HEIC was already compressed when your phone saved it, so the PNG cannot recover detail that was not there.
Why is my PNG file so much larger than the HEIC?
PNG stores image data without lossy compression, so it keeps more information. A phone photo that is 2–5 MB as HEIC can become 15–40 MB as PNG. If size matters, convert to JPG instead.
Can I convert HEIC to PNG on a Windows PC?
Yes. Open this page in any modern browser on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, or iOS. Select your HEIC files and convert them. The files stay on your computer.
Does this tool work offline?
Yes, after the page has loaded. The conversion runs entirely in your browser, so you can turn off your internet connection and still convert images.