Create editable PNG copies of HEIC photos
HEIC to PNG is useful when an editor, design tool, or upload form does not accept an HEIC photo but needs a lossless raster image. PNG preserves the decoded pixels and can retain transparency when the source contains it. It is usually larger than HEIC, so choose it for compatibility or editing rather than to reduce storage.
HEIC and PNG: efficient photo capture versus lossless compatibility
HEIC is a widely used filename extension for images stored in the High Efficiency Image File Format with HEVC compression. Phones and cameras use it to keep high-quality photos relatively compact, but some editors, websites, document tools, and older systems do not accept it.
PNG, or Portable Network Graphics, is a losslessly compressed raster format with support for transparency. It is dependable for editing, screenshots, graphics, and workflows that explicitly request PNG. A photographic PNG can be much larger than HEIC because the two formats optimize storage differently.
Use HEIC to PNG when the receiving workflow needs a lossless PNG or transparency that must remain available. For an ordinary photo that only needs broader compatibility, JPEG is usually the more compact alternative. In either case, keep the HEIC original for future exports.
Choose PNG or JPEG for the HEIC photo
| Destination | Best starting point |
|---|---|
| Editor or form requires PNG | Create a PNG at the dimensions requested by the receiving workflow. |
| Transparency must remain available | Use PNG and leave flattening disabled when the HEIC source contains transparent pixels. |
| Compatible photo with a smaller delivery size | Use JPEG when transparency is unnecessary and the destination accepts JPG or JPEG.HEIC to JPEG |
Keep useful photo detail without creating an oversized PNG
Choose PNG for the receiving workflow
PNG suits screenshots, graphics, transparent assets, and tools that explicitly request it. For an ordinary photo that only needs broader compatibility, JPEG will often produce a smaller delivery file than PNG.
Keep the original dimensions first
Start without resizing when the editor needs the full photo. If the destination specifies pixel dimensions, make a separate PNG for that placement. Increasing the dimensions cannot add detail beyond the HEIC source.
Retain the HEIC original
A PNG represents the rendered still image. Keep the source when you may need its original metadata, efficient compression, extended color information, or other HEIC data in a later workflow.
How to convert HEIC to PNG online
Convert one HEIC at its original dimensions and open the PNG in the destination editor. Check orientation, colors, transparency when present, and file size. Use JPEG instead when the destination accepts it and a compact photo is more important than lossless PNG output.
The free allowance is 10 files per batch, up to 10 MB each, and 20 conversions per 24 hours. No account or watermark. Files are uploaded for server-side processing, then scheduled for deletion after 24 hours on the Free plan.
Prepare HEIC photos for a PNG-based editing workflow
Save the dimensions and transparency settings required by the editor as a PNG recipe. Apply them to the next HEIC photo batch for the same editing project.
A free account includes 1 saved conversion recipe. Paid plans add larger batches, more recipes and delivery to Google Drive or Dropbox after you start each batch.
Preparing a whole set for a site or catalog? The bulk image resizer gives every image the same dimensions, and the bulk image compressor keeps each file under a size limit such as 100 KB.