How to Convert a PDF to JPG, PNG or Text (and Shrink It)
PDFs are great for sharing and terrible for editing. Here is how to get images or plain text out of one — and how to make an oversized PDF small enough to email.
By ToolJolt Team · June 5, 2026
Images or text — pick the goal first
There are two very different conversions. If you want to drop a page into a slide, post a preview, or keep the exact look, convert to an image (JPG or PNG). If you want to copy, search, or reuse the words, extract the text instead. Choosing the wrong one is the usual reason people get frustrated.
PDF to JPG vs PDF to PNG
JPG produces small files and is ideal for pages that are mostly photos or scans you will share online. PNG is lossless and keeps text and thin lines crisp, which is better for diagrams, tables and screenshots. If you are unsure, PNG looks cleaner; JPG is lighter.
PDF to text (extraction)
If the PDF was created digitally (exported from Word, a browser, etc.), the text is already inside it and can be pulled out instantly. If the PDF is a scan — essentially a photo of a page — there are no real characters to extract; you would need OCR. Knowing which kind you have saves a lot of confusion.
Compressing a large PDF
- Down-sample embedded images — they are almost always the bulk of the size.
- Remove unused fonts and metadata.
- Target a specific size (for example under 1 MB) when an upload form has a limit.
Keep your documents private
Documents often contain sensitive information, so a browser-based tool that never uploads your file is the safest choice. ToolJolt converts and compresses PDFs locally on your device.
Free tools mentioned in this guide
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I extract text from my PDF?
It is probably a scanned document — a picture of a page with no real characters. You would need OCR (optical character recognition) to turn the image into text.
Which is better, PDF to JPG or PNG?
PNG keeps text and lines sharp (best for diagrams and tables); JPG makes smaller files (best for photo-heavy pages you will share online).
How do I email a PDF that is too big?
Compress it by down-sampling its images and stripping extras, or split it into parts. Targeting a size like 1 MB usually clears most attachment limits.