PNGifier

How to Convert a PNG in Microsoft Paint

Microsoft Paint is built into Windows and handles simple image conversions in a few clicks. This guide shows you how to open a PNG, save it as a JPG, BMP, or GIF, and — just as importantly — when Paint is the wrong tool because it can't keep a transparent background or export modern formats.

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Is Paint good for converting a PNG?

Paint is fine for basic conversions. Because it ships with every copy of Windows, it's the quickest way to turn a PNG into a JPG, BMP, or GIF when you don't have anything else installed. It is not a full editor, though: it can't keep transparency and it can't write modern formats like WebP or AVIF. For simple, opaque images it does the job well.

How do you open a PNG in Paint?

  1. Find the PNG file in File Explorer.
  2. Right-click the file and choose Open with, then Paint.
  3. If Paint isn't listed, open Paint from the Start menu first, then use File followed by Open to browse to your PNG.

How do you save a PNG as JPG, BMP, or GIF in Paint?

  1. With the image open, click File in the top-left corner.
  2. Hover over Save as to open the format submenu.
  3. Choose the format you want — JPEG, BMP, GIF, or another option in the list.
  4. Pick a folder, give the file a name, and click Save. Paint writes the new file alongside your original.

Why does Paint give a transparent PNG a white background?

This is the big catch. Paint does not preserve transparency. When you save a transparent PNG as a JPG, the transparent areas are filled with solid white — and even re-saving as a PNG flattens the image onto a white background. If you need to keep a cut-out subject or a logo with no background, Paint will ruin it. To create or keep transparency, use a transparent background tool instead.

When should you use something other than Paint?

Reach for another tool whenever transparency or a modern format matters. The Windows Photos app and GIMP both keep the alpha channel, and a browser-based converter handles formats Paint can't, such as WebP and AVIF — with no install required. For a clean PNG to JPG conversion that you control, try the PNG to JPG converter, browse all the tools, or first read what is a PNG.

Frequently asked questions

Can Microsoft Paint convert a PNG to JPG?
Yes. Open the PNG in Paint, then choose File, then Save as, and pick JPEG. Just remember that any transparent areas in the PNG will be filled with white in the JPG.
Why does my image have a white background after using Paint?
Paint cannot keep transparency. When it saves a file it flattens the image onto a solid white background, so transparent pixels turn white — even if you save back to PNG.
Can Paint save a PNG as WebP or AVIF?
No. Paint's Save as menu only offers older formats like PNG, JPEG, BMP, GIF, and TIFF. For WebP or AVIF you need a different tool, such as a browser-based converter.
What is the best free way to convert a PNG with transparency?
Use a tool that preserves the alpha channel, such as the Windows Photos app, GIMP, or an online converter. Paint is fine for simple jobs but will erase transparency.