How to Save Images to PNG Format

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

The PNG (portable network graphics) file format is a popular image format used in graphic design. If you have an image file in JPEG or GIF format, for example, you can use the most basic graphics editor to save that image as PNG format. To learn how, you can start by seeing part 1.

Things You Should Know

  • Saving images to PNG format will keep any transparencies within the image.
  • You'll need to use a graphics editor that supports PNG format.
  • You can choose the file type or convert it using the Paint application.
Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Downloading an Image from the Web

PDF download Download Article
  1. Do this by double-clicking the browser’s icon on your desktop or completing the next step if you have a default browser.
  2. Perhaps you want sparkles for an edited image, a completely blank PNG, or a border PNG for your favorite photograph. If you're using Google Chrome, simply type what you want to download as a PNG and select the "Image" tab. If you're using Yahoo, type what you want to download as a PNG and select the "Image" tab, just like Google. Same goes for Bing. On Imgur, just type something in and images will show up right away.
    • Note that if you add "images" after a search on Google, Yahoo, or Bing, images will automatically show up.
    • Be sure to add "PNG" at the end of your search, so only PNG files will show.
    Advertisement
  3. If it shows a white and gray checker-board before you click on an image, then it's not an actual PNG file and on other platforms will show up as the image with white and gray squares behind it, which is not what you want. Instead, look for PNGs with a solid white background.
    • You'll be able to see the size of the image by hovering over it with your mouse cursor on Google.
  4. When you first click the PNG you want, you'll have to wait about 5 seconds for it to remove the solid white background. Note that it's okay for there to be a white and gray background when you actually click on the PNG. This has to happen for it to show it's a transparent background and not just an image with a solid white background.
    • The image will be in the lowest quality possible when processing. Once it's finished loading, it'll be in the highest quality your search engine can do.
  5. The "Save Image As..." button will turn blue when you click it.
  6. This helps to find the file later. This is optional, though, as you can keep the image name it gives you.
    • Choose reasonable image names, of course. If the PNG you're downloading is of a red tree in fall, don't name it "Winter tree". This will only confuse you more.
    • Sometimes, less is more. You may just want to name your PNG file "PNG1", if that helps you.
  7. This adds an extra layer of descriptiveness to easily find your PNG. Choose tags related to the color of the image, the size of the image, the importance of the image, and where to find it on your computer.
  8. This is one of the most important steps, as names and tags won't help if you're searching the wrong folder! Desktop, documents, and downloads are where you should keep the file you're downloading, unless it's for a project you have a specific folder for.
  9. No, you don't need to select if you want a PNG or JPG, etc; You just need to select if it's for all of your files or a specific file. This way, it won't be saved as a .exe or .pdf file. It simply helps to be able to open the PNG!
  10. If it saves as anything other than [your image name].png, then find another PNG or try to find out what went wrong.
    11. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Converting the Downloaded Image

PDF download Download Article
  1. Just double-click on the software’s icon on your desktop, if it’s there, or click on it in your programs list.
  2. Go to the window where you located the image you saved. Click-hold the image, drag it, then drop it onto the editor to display it.
  3. You can resize or rescale the image before saving it into PNG format if you want; you can even add texts using the Text tool of your software. This is entirely optional though.
  4. Click “File” in the upper left of the editor and choose “Save as.”
    • Enter a file name by typing the desired name in the File Name field.
    • Click on the “Save as type” drop-down menu under the File Name field to view all the compatible formats the image can be saved as.
    • Select “PNG” then click “Save.” The file will be saved in the same directory as the original one but as a PNG file.
    5. Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Converting an Image Already Saved on Your Computer

PDF download Download Article
  1. Using a file explorer, go to the particular folder where the image you want to convert to PNG format is saved in. Keep this window open once you’ve located the image.
  2. Just double-click on the software’s icon on your desktop, if it’s there, or click on it in your programs list.
  3. Go to the window where you located the image you saved. Click-hold the image, drag it, then drop it onto the editor to display it.
  4. You can resize or rescale the image before saving it into PNG format if you want; you can even add texts using the Text tool of your software. This is entirely optional though.
  5. Click “File” in the upper left of the editor and choose “Save as.”
    • Enter a file name by typing the desired name in the File Name field.
    • Click on the “Save as type” drop-down menu under the File Name field to view all the compatible formats the image can be saved as.
    • Select “PNG” then click “Save.” The file will be saved in the same directory as the original one but as a PNG file.
    6. Advertisement


Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I save .png images on my phone?
    Community Answer
    Tap and hold until it says "save," "block" or "delete."
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 9
  • Question
    How do I make an image transparent?
    Community Answer
    You may want to check out Make a Transparent Image Using Gimp , Make an Image Transparent on PC or Mac, or Create an Image With a Transparent Background Using Chasys Draw IES for this question. You can also use LunaPic for making transparent images, though. Visit lunapic.com, upload a file, and select the color you want to get rid of (the background color). Click apply, then save the image!
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 2
  • Question
    How do I load a PNG image from my phone to my laptop and keep it a PNG?
    CJ89483
    Community Answer
    You can do it through USB connection, Bluetooth, email attachment, third-party phone transfer app, based on your need.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      5 Simple Ways to Convert Pictures to JPEG
      The 5 Best Ways to Convert HEIC Photos to JPG on a Mac
      How to
      Convert JPG to Bitmap on Windows and Mac
      4 Free Ways to Convert JPG to PNG
      Creating an SVG File in Illustrator or Inkscape: A Step-by-Step Tutorial
      How to
      Unblur an Image with Photoshop, GIMP, or Alternatives
      8 Easy Steps to Add GIFs on Telegram in Messages
      Convert Any Image to an SVG File for Free
      3 Simple Ways to Convert a PDF to GIF Format
      How to
      Convert JFIF to JPG
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 260,088 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement