HEIC to PNG Converter
Convert HEIC and HEIF images to lossless PNG online for free. Fast, simple, and secure.
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How to convert HEIC to PNG
- Upload one or more HEIC or HEIF files (up to 50 MB total).
- Click 'Convert to PNG' — conversion finishes in under 3 seconds per image.
- Download PNG files individually, or grab all converted images as a ZIP.
Quick fact about HEIC
PNG is a lossless format, so HEIC-to-PNG conversion preserves 100% of the decoded image data — but PNG files are typically 3-5x larger than the original HEIC for photographs.
Why convert HEIC to PNG?
HEIC is a lossy format. When you need to edit a photo extensively, preserve transparency, or feed it into software that expects lossless input, PNG is the right target. Unlike JPG, PNG keeps every pixel of the decoded image and supports an alpha channel for transparent backgrounds. This matters for screenshots, logos, icons, and any HEIC photo that contains parts you need to layer or edit without re-encoding loss.
HEIC vs PNG
| Attribute | HEIC | PNG |
|---|---|---|
| Container | HEIF (ISO/IEC 23008-12) | PNG (ISO/IEC 15948) |
| Compression algorithm | HEVC (H.265 intra-frame) | DEFLATE (lossless) |
| Compression type | Lossy | Lossless |
| Typical file size | Small (40-50% smaller than JPG) | Large (3-5x HEIC equivalent) |
| Alpha channel | Supported in HEIF container | Supported (8-bit alpha) |
| Best for | Modern mobile photography | Editing, screenshots, web graphics |
| Compatibility | iOS 11+, macOS High Sierra+ | Universal — every browser since 1996 |
Technical details
| Input formats | HEIC, HEIF |
| Output format | PNG (Portable Network Graphics) |
| Compression | Lossless (zlib) |
| Transparency | Preserved if present in original |
| Max file size | 50 MB per file |
| Batch processing | Supported |
| EXIF metadata | Preserved by default |
| Typical output size | 3-5x larger than source HEIC |
| File retention | Auto-deleted after conversion |
How the conversion works
The converter decodes the HEVC-compressed image stream inside the HEIC container and writes it as an uncompressed PNG using zlib compression. The output has no additional quality loss beyond what was already baked into the original HEIC. PNG's alpha channel is available for images that already had transparency information in the HEIF container.
When to convert HEIC to PNG
- Editing iPhone photos in Photoshop, GIMP, or Affinity Photo.
- Creating screenshots and marketing assets that need to stay pixel-perfect.
- Converting HEIC images with transparent regions (logos, stickers).
- Feeding images into software that requires lossless input (print pipelines, OCR tools).
- Archiving photos in a format guaranteed to remain readable decades from now.
- Layering HEIC images into design documents without additional quality loss.
- Preparing images for a workflow that will re-encode them several times.
Quality considerations
PNG output is lossless. Every pixel of the decoded HEIC image is preserved exactly — no additional quality loss beyond what was already in the source. This makes PNG the correct choice for editing workflows where you plan to re-encode multiple times. Note that PNG output is 3-5x larger than the original HEIC, sometimes more for large photos.
Limitations and caveats
- PNG files are typically 3-5x larger than the source HEIC for photos.
- For sharing photos over messaging apps or email, JPG is usually the better target.
- PNG does not preserve HEIC's depth maps or Live Photo motion.
- Very large PNG outputs may exceed upload limits on some platforms.
- PNG does not support animation (HEIC can contain image sequences).
Compatibility
- PNG opens natively on every modern OS — Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
- Universally supported by every browser since 1996.
- Native import in Photoshop, GIMP, Affinity, Illustrator, Figma, Sketch.
- Accepted by every web platform, CMS, and email client.
- Ideal for slides, documentation, marketing assets, and UI mockups.
Tips for best results
- Use PNG when you plan to edit the image — no additional loss will be added.
- Use JPG instead when the goal is sharing or email — PNG is 3-5x larger.
- Batch-convert up to 50 MB of HEIC files at once for bulk workflows.
- PNG supports transparency, so any transparent areas in the source HEIC will survive.
- EXIF metadata (camera, GPS, timestamp) is preserved by default.
Common problems and fixes
- Converted PNG is much larger than the HEIC original
- This is expected. PNG is lossless — every pixel is kept exactly, while HEIC compresses aggressively. If size matters more than lossless quality, use JPG instead.
- Transparent areas in HEIC are not transparent in PNG
- This usually means the source HEIC did not contain a real alpha channel — some HEIC photos use HEIF 'auxiliary' images for transparency that are not part of the primary image stream. Only real alpha channels survive conversion.
- PNG opens slowly in an old image viewer
- Some legacy viewers are slow on large PNGs because PNG is decompressed in memory. Modern viewers (Windows Photos, Preview, Chrome, Firefox) handle PNGs smoothly.
Frequently asked questions
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Sources and references
Last reviewed: 2026-10-01