How to Convert PDF to JPG and PNG
Without Blurry Quality (2026 Fix Guide)
Let me tell you about the exam notes nobody could read
A student converted his textbook PDF to images for his tablet. The text came out fuzzy. Edges were pixelated. Diagrams were unreadable when zoomed. He thought it was his device. It wasn't. It was the conversion settings. I've fixed this problem for dozens of people. The fix is always the same: the right DPI, the right format, and not trusting the defaults. Here's exactly how to get it right.
Why PDF to Image Conversions Look Blurry (And How to Fix It)
The 72 DPI Trap
Here's the problem: many PDF converters default to 72 or 96 DPI. That's fine for web graphics viewed at 100% on a screen. But PDFs contain vector text and graphics that are resolution-independent. When you convert at low DPI, you're essentially taking a perfect vector image and turning it into a low-resolution photo. Text gets soft. Edges get jagged. Diagrams lose detail.
The fix: Never use default settings. Always manually set DPI to at least 300. For documents with small text or fine details, use 600 DPI. The difference is immediate and dramatic.
72 DPI (Blurry)
Text looks soft, edges are pixelated. Fine print becomes unreadable. Diagrams lose sharpness. Files are small but quality is poor.
300 DPI (Crisp)
Text is sharp, edges are clean. Fine print is readable. Diagrams are clear. Files are larger but quality is excellent.
Simple test to check if your conversion is good
Zoom to 200% on your converted image. If text looks soft, edges are blurry, or you see pixelation, your DPI is too low. Good quality text should remain sharp even when zoomed.
JPG vs PNG: Which Format Should You Choose?
Choose JPG When...
- File size is important
- Your PDF has photos or gradients
- You're sharing via email or web
- Small quality loss is acceptable
Tradeoff: Smaller files, but compression artifacts around text and sharp edges. Good for photos, okay for documents.
Choose PNG When...
- Text clarity is critical
- Your PDF has diagrams or charts
- You need perfect quality
- You're printing or archiving
Tradeoff: Larger files, but pixel-perfect quality. Text stays razor sharp. No compression artifacts. Worth the size for important documents.
My rule of thumb: If the PDF is mostly text and I need it readable, I choose PNG at 300 DPI. If it's photos or I'm sending via email, I choose JPG at 300 DPI with High quality setting. The format matters, but DPI matters more.
DPI Settings: What Actually Works for Different Needs
150 DPI
GoodBasic quality. Text is readable but not sharp. Fine details get lost. Files are small. Use for drafts, quick previews, or when you don't care about perfect quality.
Best for: Internal drafts, quick sharing, documents that will only be viewed once and discarded.
300 DPI
RecommendedThe sweet spot. Text is crisp, graphics are clear, photos look good. Files are reasonably sized. Works for screens, email, and standard printing. This should be your default for most conversions.
Best for: Study materials, presentations, client deliverables, documents you'll keep and reference.
600 DPI
ProfessionalMaximum quality. Text is razor sharp. Every detail is preserved. Files are large (often 5-10x bigger than 300 DPI). Use only when you genuinely need this level of quality.
Best for: Professional printing, archival copies, documents with extremely fine print, technical diagrams.
Don't waste space: 600 DPI is overkill for most uses. You won't see the difference on a standard screen. Only use it when you're printing at very high quality or need to zoom to 800% and read microscopic text. For 95% of people, 300 DPI is perfect.
Step-by-Step: Convert PDF to Images Without Quality Loss
Step 1: Upload Your PDF
Use a converter that works in your browser (no server uploads) for privacy and speed. Drag and drop or click to select your file. Most tools accept files up to 100MB or more.
Control Systems GATE ESE Book1.pdf
23.12 MB • 217 pages
Step 2: Choose Your Settings
Output Format
Image Quality
Resolution (DPI)
✓ Recommended settings: PNG or JPG, High Quality, 300 DPI
Step 3: Rotate Pages If Needed
Scanned documents often come in sideways or upside down. Good converters let you rotate individual pages or batch rotate all pages at once. Fix orientation before downloading.
Step 4: Download Your Images
Download as ZIP
All 217 images in one file
Download All Images Individually
217 separate downloads
Download Current Page
12 images from current view
Tip: Always choose ZIP for documents with many pages. One download, one file, everything organized.
Real Problems I've Fixed (And What They Taught Me)
The Engineering Student's Textbook
A student converted his 800-page engineering reference book to images for his tablet. Default settings: 72 DPI JPG. The text was unreadable when zoomed. Diagrams were pixelated. Formulas were blurry. He thought he needed a new tablet. He just needed the right settings.
The fix: 300 DPI PNG. Text became razor sharp. Diagrams were clear. Formulas were perfectly readable. File size was larger, but worth it for study materials he used daily.
The Contract with Upside-Down Pages
A client scanned a 50-page contract, but every other page was upside down. He needed to send the images to his legal team. Without rotation, they'd have to manually flip each page in their PDF viewer. Annoying and unprofessional.
The fix: Batch rotate all even pages 180°. The entire document was corrected in one click. Converted to high-quality JPGs, zipped, and sent. The legal team had clean, properly oriented images.
The Photo Book That Was Too Big to Email
Someone had a PDF photo book from their vacation. 40 pages, all high-resolution photos. 150MB total. Too big for email. Too big for WhatsApp. They needed to share it with family.
The fix: Converted to JPG at 150 DPI. Quality was still good for viewing on phones and tablets. File size dropped from 150MB to 18MB. Emailable, shareable, and the photos still looked great.
Working with Large Documents (50+ Pages)
Batch Rotation
When you have a 200-page document with orientation issues, don't fix pages one by one. Use batch rotation. Apply the same rotation to all pages at once. Tools with this feature save hours of work.
Example: All pages are upside down? One click rotates all 200 pages 180°. Fixed in seconds, not 20 minutes of clicking.
ZIP Downloads
Never download 100 images one by one. It's slow, disorganized, and easy to miss files. ZIP downloads package everything into one file. One click, one download, then extract and all files are organized.
Example: 217 pages = 217 individual downloads or one ZIP file. Which would you choose?
My workflow for large documents:
Upload PDF. Set format to PNG, DPI to 300. Check first page for orientation issues. If multiple pages need rotation, batch rotate. Process all pages. Download as ZIP. Extract. Done in under 2 minutes, regardless of document length.
Questions People Actually Ask About PDF to Image Conversion
Why do my converted PDF images always look blurry?
What's the difference between JPG and PNG for PDF conversion?
Can I rotate pages during conversion?
What DPI should I use for different purposes?
How do I download many converted images efficiently?
What I've Learned From Converting Thousands of PDF Pages
After converting everything from 5-page contracts to 800-page textbooks, here's what actually matters:
In 2026, converting PDF to images should be simple, fast, and produce perfect quality. The tools exist. The settings are clear. The only thing standing between you and crisp, clear images is knowing which buttons to push. Now you know. Set your DPI to 300, choose PNG for text or JPG for photos, batch rotate if needed, download as ZIP. Every time, your images will look exactly like your PDF - just as individual pictures.
Convert Your PDF to Images Now
Try our free PDF to Image converter. Choose JPG or PNG, set your DPI, rotate pages if needed, and download crisp, clear images instantly.
Your files stay in your browser • No uploads to servers • Free to use