Converting Images to PDF and Back
Images and PDFs go together constantly: a stack of phone photos that should be one document, a receipt to file, a slide you need as a picture for a website. Converting in both directions is simple once you understand the formats and a couple of resolution basics.
Why combine images into a PDF?
A PDF wraps many images into one tidy, universally-viewable file. That's far more practical than emailing a dozen loose JPEGs. Common reasons:
- Turning photographed or scanned receipts into a single expense document.
- Bundling pictures of an ID, passport, or form into one file for an application.
- Assembling a simple photo portfolio that opens the same on any device.
- Archiving a set of scans as one searchable-named file.
Image formats you'll deal with
| Format | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| JPEG | Photos, scans | Small files; lossy; no transparency |
| PNG | Screenshots, diagrams, logos | Lossless; supports transparency; larger |
| WebP | Modern web images | Efficient; not universally supported in older apps |
| BMP / GIF | Legacy / simple graphics | Usually converted internally before embedding |
How to convert images into a PDF
- Open the Image → PDF tool and add your images (JPEG, PNG, WebP, and more).
- Set the page order by dragging the handles — each image becomes one page, top to bottom.
- Click Build PDF. Each image is embedded at its original pixel dimensions and the combined file downloads.
How to export PDF pages as images
Going the other way — turning PDF pages into picture files — is just as useful: grabbing a slide for a presentation, posting a page to social media, or embedding a page in a website.
- Open the PDF → Image tool and choose your PDF.
- Pick a format: JPEG (smaller, great for photos) or PNG (lossless, great for text and diagrams).
- Set the scale. 2× renders at roughly 144 dpi — sharp for most uses. Use 3× for print or fine detail; 1× can look soft on modern screens.
- Click Export. A single page downloads as one image; multiple pages are bundled into a ZIP automatically.
Resolution & quality, made simple
- For reading on screen: 150–200 dpi (about 2×) is plenty and keeps files small.
- For printing: aim higher — 300 dpi or a 3× scale.
- Text and line art: prefer PNG to keep edges crisp.
- Photographs: prefer JPEG to keep files manageable.
Private by default
Photos and scans are some of the most personal files we handle — IDs, documents, family pictures. CrunchyPDF's image and PDF conversion runs entirely in your browser, so none of it is uploaded. Your pictures become a PDF (or vice-versa) on your own device, and the result downloads straight to you.