Image Format Converter Guide: Convert JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF, BMP & ICO Online

Every image format exists for a reason — JPG for photos, PNG for graphics with transparency, ICO for favicons, GIF for simple animations — but that also means you regularly need to convert between them, and most single-purpose converters only handle one direction. The Image Format Converter solves that by covering six formats in one tool: pick your file, pick a target format, and download the result, all processed locally in your browser.

What Is the Image Format Converter?

It's a single tool that converts an image between JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF, BMP, and ICO — any format in, any format out. Instead of bookmarking a separate page for "JPG to PNG" and another for "PNG to ICO," you upload once and just choose where you want to end up.

Like every tool on OLD TOOLS, conversion happens entirely in your browser using the Canvas API. Your image is never uploaded to a server, which means it's both faster and completely private.

Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Tool

Step 1: Open the Image Format Converter

Go to the Image Format Converter tool page, where you'll see an upload area.

Step 2: Upload Your Image

Drag and drop or click to browse for a JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF, or BMP file.

Step 3: Pick a Target Format

Choose JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF, BMP, or ICO from the format buttons — your detected input format is shown alongside it.

Step 4: Convert

Click Convert, and the tool processes your file in your browser within seconds.

Step 5: Download

Click Download to save your converted file.

When to Use Each Format

JPG (JPEG) — Best for photographs and complex images with lots of color gradients. Uses lossy compression for small file sizes, but doesn't support transparency.

PNG — Best for graphics, screenshots, logos, and any image that needs a transparent background. Uses lossless compression, so file sizes are larger than JPG but quality is perfectly preserved.

WebP — A modern format that's typically 25-35% smaller than JPG or PNG at similar quality, while still supporting transparency. Ideal for websites where page speed matters.

GIF — Limited to 256 colors, which makes it a poor choice for photos but a fine, widely-compatible choice for simple graphics, icons, or single still frames.

BMP — An uncompressed format that produces large files but with zero quality loss and maximum compatibility with older Windows software.

ICO — The format browsers and operating systems expect for favicons and application icons. Converting an image to ICO is the standard way to prepare a custom favicon for a website.

Features of Your Tool

• Six formats in one tool — JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF, BMP, and ICO, any format to any other.
• Automatic input detection shows you the source format before you convert.
• 100% browser-based processing — your image never leaves your device.
• No software installation required — works entirely in your browser.
• Free with no watermarks added to your converted images.
• Works on all devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones.

Common Use Cases

• Creating a favicon by converting a logo PNG to ICO for your website.
• Optimizing website images by converting JPG or PNG assets to WebP for faster loading.
• Preparing images for older software that only accepts BMP.
• Making a simple graphic into a GIF for maximum compatibility with older platforms and email clients.
• Converting any format you receive into whatever format a specific upload form or tool requires.

Tips & Best Practices

• For photos, convert to JPG or WebP — GIF and BMP aren't suited to photographic detail.
• If your source image has a transparent background, convert to PNG or WebP to preserve it; JPG, BMP, and GIF do not support transparency.
• For a favicon, start with a square image — the converter will scale it to fit the 256×256 ICO limit, but a square source avoids distortion.
• WebP offers the best balance of quality and file size for most modern websites.
• If you specifically need one of the five long-standing conversions — JPG↔PNG, WebP, HEIC to JPG, or SVG to PNG — those also have their own dedicated tools with extra format-specific options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which formats can I convert between?

JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF, BMP, and ICO — any of these as input, converted to any of the other five (or the same format, if you just want to re-encode it).

Is my image uploaded to a server?

No. Conversion happens entirely in your browser using the Canvas API — your file never leaves your device.

Why does my GIF look different after converting a photo to it?

GIF only supports 256 colors, so photos with smooth gradients will show some banding after conversion. GIF is best suited to simple graphics rather than photographs.

Can I convert a large image to ICO?

Yes — the tool automatically scales images down to fit the 256×256 pixel ICO limit.

Is this tool free?

Yes, completely free with no sign-up, watermarks, or hidden charges.

Does converting to BMP lose any quality?

No — BMP is uncompressed, so there's no quality loss, though file sizes are significantly larger than JPG, PNG, or WebP.

Can I use this tool on my phone?

Yes, it's fully responsive and works smoothly on smartphones and tablets.

Conclusion

Rather than juggling a different tool for every format pair, the Image Format Converter covers JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF, BMP, and ICO conversions in one place — fast, free, and fully private since everything happens in your browser.

Try it now, and explore our other format converters if you need format-specific options.

Related Tools

• JPG to PNG — dedicated JPG-to-PNG conversion.
• WebP Converter — dedicated JPG/PNG-to-WebP conversion.
• HEIC to JPG Converter — convert iPhone photos to a universally supported format.
• SVG to PNG Converter — convert vector graphics to raster images.
• Image Compressor — shrink file size after converting formats.