Mac makes PDF-to-JPG conversion easy through the built-in Preview app, and an online tool fills the gap when you need more control over resolution or need to convert multiple pages at once.
How to Convert PDF to JPG Using Preview on Mac
Open the PDF in Preview. Go to File > Export. In the Format dropdown, select JPEG. Use the Quality slider to set the compression level โ moving it toward Best gives a larger file with sharper detail, while moving toward Least gives a smaller file with more visible compression. Click Save.
Preview exports the currently visible page. For a multi-page PDF, you need to navigate to each page and export separately โ Preview doesn't batch-export all pages to JPG in a single step. If you need all pages converted, use an online tool or the command line method below.
Setting the Resolution When Exporting
Preview's Export dialog includes a Resolution field that defaults to 150 DPI. For images intended for screen display, 150 DPI is fine. For images that will be printed or used in design work, set it to 300 DPI. Higher resolution means a larger file but sharper output โ worth specifying before clicking Save rather than upscaling a low-res image afterward.
Converting All PDF Pages to JPG at Once on Mac
For batch conversion of a multi-page PDF, WukongPDF's PDF to Image tool is the most practical option. Open Safari, upload your PDF, select JPG as the output format, and download the ZIP file containing one JPG per page. This is significantly faster than exporting page by page through Preview.
Mac users comfortable with the Terminal can also use the sips command-line tool or ImageMagick (installable via Homebrew) to batch-convert all pages with a single command. For most users, the browser tool is more accessible.
Converting PDF to JPG Using Automator on Mac
Automator, Mac's built-in workflow tool, can batch-convert PDF pages to JPG without any third-party software. Open Automator (in Applications > Utilities), create a new workflow, add the Render PDF Pages as Images action, set the format to JPEG and the resolution to your preference, then add a Move Finder Items action to specify the output folder. Run the workflow with your PDF to export all pages.
Save the workflow as a Quick Action if you convert PDFs to JPG regularly โ it then appears in the right-click menu in Finder, letting you run the conversion directly from any PDF file without opening Automator each time.
JPG vs PNG for PDF Pages on Mac
JPG is the right choice when file size matters and the content is primarily photographic. PNG is better for document pages with sharp text, charts, or line art โ it's lossless, so text edges remain crisp regardless of how much you zoom in. Preview supports both formats in the Export dialog, and WukongPDF's PDF to Image tool lets you choose between JPG and PNG before converting.