PNGifier

How to Convert a PNG in GIMP

GIMP is a free, open-source image editor that can convert a PNG to almost any format. The trick is to use File then Export As — not Save, which only writes GIMP's own project file. Here's the full step-by-step process, plus a quicker option for one-off conversions.

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What you need (GIMP is free)

All you need is GIMP, the GNU Image Manipulation Program. It's completely free and open-source — no cost, no watermarks, and no sign-up — and it's a popular alternative to Photoshop. GIMP is cross-platform, running on Windows, macOS, and Linux, so the steps below are the same on every system. If you don't have it yet, download it from the official GIMP website and install it before you start.

Open the PNG

Launch GIMP, then choose File → Open and select your PNG file. Your image appears on the canvas, ready to convert. You can stop here if you only want to change the format — there's no need to edit the picture first.

Export As — the key step (not Save)

This is the part that trips people up. GIMP's Save command only writes its own .xcf project format, not a JPG, WebP, or any other image format. To change the format, you export instead:

  1. Choose File → Export As…
  2. In the filename box, type a name that ends with the extension you want — for example photo.jpg or photo.webp. GIMP picks the output format from that extension.
  3. Click Export.
  4. Adjust the settings in the format dialog that appears, then confirm to write the file.

Choosing JPG vs WebP and setting quality

After you click Export, GIMP shows a dialog with a quality slider. Higher quality means a larger, sharper file; lower quality means a smaller file with more compression. For photos, a JPG around 80–90% quality is a good balance. WebP usually gives you a smaller file than JPG at the same quality and can also keep transparency, which JPG cannot. To learn more, see converting PNG to JPG or converting PNG to WebP.

Handling transparency

PNG can store a transparent background, but JPG can't. When you export a transparent PNG to JPG, GIMP flattens the transparency onto a solid background — by default that's often white. If you want a specific colour behind the image, set the background colour first (for example with a filled layer underneath) before you export. If keeping transparency matters, export to WebP instead, which supports a full alpha channel like PNG. For more on the format itself, read what is a PNG.

A quicker option — convert online

GIMP is great when you already have it open or need to edit the image, but it's a lot of software to launch for a single conversion. For a quick one-off, a browser-based converter is even faster: drop the PNG in, pick the format, and download the result — no install required. Browse all of PNGifier's conversion tools to convert a PNG in seconds.

Frequently asked questions

Is GIMP free to convert images?
Yes. GIMP is completely free and open-source, with no watermarks or limits. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and many people use it as a free alternative to Photoshop.
Why doesn't Save change my PNG to a JPG?
In GIMP, Save only writes GIMP's own .xcf project format. To create a JPG, WebP, or any other image format, you have to use File then Export As instead.
What happens to transparency when I export to JPG?
JPG cannot store transparency, so GIMP flattens any transparent areas onto a background. Set a background colour before exporting if you want to control how those areas look.
Is there a faster way to convert a single PNG?
Yes. For a quick one-off conversion, an online converter is faster than launching GIMP — you just drop the PNG in your browser and download the result.