PNGifier

How to Convert a PNG in Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop can open a PNG and re-save it as almost any image format. This guide walks through opening a PNG, exporting it as PNG, JPG, or WebP, using Save for Web for optimised images, and deciding when to keep or flatten transparency — plus a free option if you don't have Photoshop.

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How do you open a PNG in Photoshop?

Before you can convert anything, you need the PNG open on the canvas:

  1. Launch Photoshop and choose File → Open (or press Ctrl/Cmd + O).
  2. Select your .png file and click Open.
  3. The image appears on a single layer. A transparent background shows as a grey-and-white checkerboard.

From here you have three routes to a new format: Export As, Save a Copy, or Save for Web. The right one depends on whether you want a quick conversion, a specific file type, or the smallest possible web file. New to the format itself? Start with what is a PNG.

How do you export a PNG as JPG or WebP?

The simplest modern route is Export As, which gives you a live preview and a size estimate:

  1. Choose File → Export → Export As.
  2. Pick a format from the dropdown — PNG, JPG, or WebP. For PNG you can toggle smaller indexed output (PNG-8) versus full colour with alpha (PNG-24).
  3. Set quality for JPG or WebP, check the preview, then click Export and choose where to save.

If you only need a different file type quickly, you can instead use File → Save a Copy (called Save As in older Photoshop versions) and select the format from the file-type menu.

When should you use Save for Web?

For images headed to a website, Save for Web (Legacy) gives you the tightest control over file size:

  1. Choose File → Export → Save for Web (Legacy).
  2. Pick a format and preset, such as PNG-8 for flat graphics, PNG-24 for transparency, or JPEG for photos.
  3. Use the 2-Up or 4-Up tabs to compare quality against the estimated file size, then click Save.

PNG-8 is great for logos and icons with few colours because it stays small. PNG-24 keeps full colour and smooth transparency, so reach for it when an image has gradients or a soft edge.

How is transparency handled when converting?

This is the part that trips people up. PNG and WebP both keep a transparent background, so a logo stays clean. JPG has no transparency, so Photoshop flattens any transparent areas onto the Matte (or background) colour you set in the export dialog — usually white. If you need the cut-out to stay transparent, export as PNG or WebP instead of JPG. For more on that exact trade-off, see converting PNG to JPG or keep transparency with PNG to WebP.

What if you don't have Photoshop?

Photoshop is paid Adobe software that requires a Creative Cloud subscription, which is overkill if you just need to change a file format. A free, browser-based converter does the same job in seconds with no install — and your images never leave your device. Browse the full set of conversion tools to convert a PNG to JPG, WebP, and more right in your browser.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert a PNG to JPG in Photoshop?
Open the PNG, then choose File → Export → Export As, pick JPG, and click Export. Because JPG can't store transparency, any transparent areas are flattened onto the Matte colour you choose.
What is the difference between PNG-8 and PNG-24 in Photoshop?
PNG-8 uses an indexed palette of up to 256 colours, so files are smaller but colours are limited. PNG-24 stores full colour plus a smooth alpha channel, giving better quality at a larger size.
Can Photoshop export WebP?
Yes. Recent versions of Photoshop list WebP as a format in File → Export → Export As, where you can set quality and keep transparency.
Do I need to pay for Photoshop to convert a PNG?
Photoshop is paid Adobe software that needs a subscription. If you don't have it, a free browser-based converter can change PNG to JPG, WebP, and other formats without any install.