How to Convert PDF Pages to Images (PNG or JPEG) at the Right Resolution

Converting a PDF to images is handy when you need to drop a page into a slide deck, post a document preview, or feed a page into software that only accepts pictures. The two decisions that matter are the image format and the resolution.

PNG or JPEG?

• PNG is lossless and keeps text and line art perfectly sharp. It is the better choice for documents, screenshots, and anything with sharp edges, at the cost of larger files.
• JPEG is lossy and produces much smaller files, and it suits pages dominated by photographs. At high compression it can blur small text and add halos around edges.

Picking a resolution (DPI)

A PDF page is vector-like and has no fixed pixel size, so the tool renders it at a resolution of your choice. A standard A4 page is about 8.27 by 11.69 inches.

• 72 to 96 dpi: roughly screen size, fine for quick previews (about 595 by 842 pixels at 72 dpi).
• 150 dpi: a good balance for sharing and web use (about 1240 by 1754 pixels for A4).
• 300 dpi: print quality, about 2480 by 3508 pixels for A4, with much larger files.

Step by step

1. Open the PDF in a converter that works in your browser.
2. Choose PNG or JPEG and a resolution that matches how you'll use the images.
3. Convert, then download the pages individually or as a bundle.
4. Open a page and zoom in to check that small text is readable.

Check the file size

A 100-page PDF at 300 dpi PNG can produce gigabytes of images. Start with 150 dpi, and raise it only if the result isn't sharp enough.

Related tasks

• Need just one page? Extract it first, then convert.
• Want the text, not a picture? Use a PDF text extractor instead of converting to images.
• Need the images back as a PDF? Combine them with an images-to-PDF tool.

Frequently asked questions

What DPI should I use to convert a PDF to an image?

Use 150 dpi for general sharing and web, 300 dpi for print, and 72 to 96 dpi for small previews.

Is PNG better than JPEG for PDFs?

For text-heavy documents, PNG stays sharper. JPEG is smaller and better for pages made mostly of photographs.

Can I convert only some pages?

Extract the pages you want into a new PDF first, then convert that file.

Will converting to an image keep the text selectable?

No. The result is a picture, so the text can't be selected or searched unless you run OCR on it.

Try it: PDF to Images — free, runs in your browser, nothing is uploaded.

Originally published at ilovekit.app.