HEIC to PNG Conversion: When, Why, and How
Most guides tell you to convert HEIC to JPEG. But sometimes PNG is the better choice.
JPEG vs PNG: The Tradeoff
| Factor | JPEG | PNG |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy | Lossless |
| File size (photo) | 2-8 MB | 20-40 MB |
| Transparency | No | Yes (alpha channel) |
| Bit depth | 8-bit | Up to 16-bit |
| Text/graphics | Compression artifacts | Perfect sharpness |
When to Convert HEIC to PNG
Good reasons to choose PNG:
- Screenshots with text — JPEG smears text edges; PNG keeps them crisp
- Images requiring editing — lossless format preserves all data for further editing
- Need transparency — logos, overlays, and graphics over backgrounds
- Medical/technical images — where compression artifacts could obscure details
- Printing at large sizes — lossless format preferred for fine art prints
Bad reasons to choose PNG:
- “PNG is higher quality” (for photos, the 5× file size isn’t worth the imperceptible difference)
- Web display of photographs (JPEG or WebP is far more efficient)
How to Convert
Since heicgo focuses on JPEG output (best for 95% of use cases), here are alternatives for PNG:
- Mac — Preview app: Open HEIC → File → Export → Format: PNG
- iPhone — Files app: Save HEIC to Files → Long press → Quick Actions → Convert Image → PNG
- Online — CloudConvert: Supports HEIC → PNG (note: requires file upload)
File Size Reality Check
Converting a 12 MP iPhone photo:
| Format | File Size | Emailable? | Printable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| HEIC (original) | 2.4 MB | Yes | Yes (up to 16×20) |
| JPEG (92% quality) | 4.8 MB | Yes | Yes |
| JPEG (100% quality) | 8 MB | Maybe | Yes |
| PNG (lossless) | 28 MB | No | Yes |
The Bottom Line
Convert HEIC → JPEG for 95% of use cases. The small quality difference at 92%+ is invisible, and the 5-6× smaller file size saves storage and bandwidth.
Convert HEIC → PNG only when you specifically need lossless quality, transparency, or are working with text-heavy screenshots.
For HEIC → JPEG conversion with EXIF preservation, use heicgo.com — it’s free, private, and requires no upload.
Further Reading
- HEIC vs JPEG Comparison — JPEG vs HEIC quality
- Understanding Image File Formats — when each format shines
- JPEG vs PNG vs HEIC vs WebP — all four compared
heicgo Editorial Team
Published · Expert guides on HEIC conversion, image formats, and photo management.
Related Articles
How to Preserve EXIF Data When Converting HEIC to JPG
Most HEIC converters strip EXIF metadata like GPS location and date. Learn how to keep this data intact during conversion.
2 tags matchedHow to Convert HEIC to JPG (Free, No Upload Required)
Learn the fastest way to convert HEIC photos to JPG without uploading files. All processing happens on your device.
2 tags matchedJPEG vs PNG vs HEIC vs WebP: Which Image Format Should You Use?
Comprehensive comparison of the four major image formats. Learn which to use for photos, web graphics, archiving, and sharing.