Why would anyone convert JPG to HEIC?

Mostly to save space. HEIC is typically about half the size of an equivalent JPG, which adds up across a large library. It also keeps an Apple photo collection in a single format.

Does converting JPG to HEIC improve quality?

No. The JPG's compression has already removed some detail, and re-encoding can't bring it back. The aim is a smaller file that looks the same, not a better-looking one.

Why is there no quality slider?

The in-browser HEVC encoder runs with one fixed setting, so you can't trade quality for size on this page.

HEVC encoding is far more demanding than JPG encoding, and it all runs in your browser. Expect several seconds per 12 MP photo, more on phones.

Is the date and camera info kept?

No. Metadata isn't copied into the HEIC output, so the date taken, camera details and location are all left out. Photos apps may sort the new files by the date you converted them.

Can Windows open the HEIC files I make?

Only with Microsoft's HEIF Image Extensions and usually the paid HEVC Video Extensions installed. If the files need to work on Windows, keep them as JPG.

Are my JPGs uploaded?

No. The encoder runs inside your browser tab, so your photos never leave your device.

JPG to HEIC Converter: Save Space, No Upload

JPG to HEIC in 3 steps

Drop your JPG files above, or tap Choose files. Start with a few to see how long each one takes on your device.

Each JPG is re-encoded as HEIC in your browser. Allow several seconds per 12 MP photo; there are no settings to fiddle with.

Download the HEIC files or one ZIP, then import them into Photos or your file library.

Yes, we know the name of the site

We don’t hate HEIC as a format. We hate it showing up where it isn’t welcome. On your own Apple devices, HEIC is genuinely good: it typically takes about half the space of a JPG at similar quality. If your photo library is full of old JPGs from a previous phone or camera and storage is tight, converting them is a reasonable move.

Good reasons to convert JPG to HEIC

Save storage. Roughly halving the size of a large JPG collection frees real space on an iPhone, iPad or Mac.
One format across your library. If everything since 2017 is HEIC, some people like their older photos to match.
Smaller backups. Fewer gigabytes to copy to an external drive or keep in cloud storage.

Honest caveats before you start

This is the one page on the site where we’ll talk you out of using it if it’s the wrong fit.

Caveat	What it means for you
No quality gain	Re-encoding a JPG never adds detail; it can only keep what’s left
No quality slider	One fixed encoder setting for every photo
Slower	Several seconds per 12 MP photo, longer on phones
No metadata	Date, camera and location are not copied to the HEIC
Compatibility	Great on Apple devices; Windows and the web may struggle

The metadata point matters most. If your library relies on the date taken to stay in order, test a few photos first and see how your Photos app sorts them. Keep your original JPGs until you’re happy.

When to leave JPGs alone

If the photos will be emailed, uploaded to websites, printed or opened on Windows, keep them as JPG. HEIC’s savings aren’t worth the compatibility headaches there, and our HEIC vs JPG comparison explains why. If you simply need smaller JPGs for a form, Compress HEIC is the better tool because it also accepts JPG.

How it works without a server

HEIC encoding is normally a job for native apps. Here an HEVC encoder (kvazaar) is compiled to WebAssembly and runs inside your browser tab, with Web Workers spreading files across your CPU cores. That’s why it’s slower than our HEIC-to-JPG direction, and also why nothing gets uploaded. New to the format? Start with what HEIC is.

JPG to HEIC