JPG to PDF: Complete Photo Conversion Guide
Converting JPG to PDF is one of the most-searched conversions in the world. Passport photos, scanned receipts, ID cards, document scans, real estate listings, insurance claims, contest submissions — they all start as JPG and need to end as PDF. This guide walks through the clean way to do it.
Why convert JPGs to PDF
- One file instead of ten attachments.
- PDFs preserve order — recipients see image 1 before image 2.
- You can add captions, page numbers, and headers.
- Many submission portals only accept PDF.
- EXIF metadata can be stripped for privacy.
Page size and orientation
Choose page size based on the source:
- Phone photos. A4 portrait fits standard 4:3 captures. A4 landscape suits 16:9 video stills.
- Scanned documents. Use the original document's size — usually A4 or US Letter.
- Wide panoramas. A3 landscape or custom size avoids forced cropping.
- Square Instagram-style images. Square page or A4 portrait with white margins.
Image fit options
- Fit to page. Image fills the page while preserving aspect ratio. White margins where needed. Best default.
- Fill page. Image fills entirely; some content gets cropped.
- Original size. Image placed at native pixel size, may not match the page.
- Multiple per page. 2, 4, 6, or 9 thumbnails per page for contact sheets.
Compression and quality
JPG is already compressed. Re-compressing during PDF conversion further degrades quality. Choose:
- Pass through (lossless re-pack). Best quality. PDF embeds the original JPG bytes.
- High quality (90%). Slight size reduction with no visible quality loss.
- Web (75%). Half the size, suitable for email attachments.
- Archive (50%). Aggressive — only use when storage matters more than fidelity.
EXIF metadata: keep or strip?
JPGs from cameras and phones embed EXIF data: GPS coordinates, device model, timestamps, camera settings. Most converters carry this into the PDF.
- Strip EXIF when sending photos publicly — listing sites, marketplaces, dating profiles, social uploads.
- Keep EXIF for legal evidence, insurance claims, and forensic chains of custody.
Privacy: convert locally
Photos are personal. Browser-based JPG-to-PDF conversion runs entirely on your device — no upload, no third-party server holding your scanned ID or family photos. This is the safer default for any personal image.
Common workflows
Receipts for expense reports
Photograph each receipt → fit to page A4 portrait → 2-up layout → name file 2026-04-expenses.pdf.
Scanned ID submissions
Front and back as separate images → A4 portrait, one per page → high-quality compression → strip EXIF.
Real estate listings
Wide landscape images → A4 landscape → multi-image per page (2-up) → captions per photo.
Frequently asked questions
How big should each JPG be?
Match the target use. 1500 px on the long edge is enough for screen viewing. Print at 300 dpi requires roughly 2500 px on a 200 mm width.
Can I rotate images during conversion?
Yes. Most converters detect EXIF orientation. Override manually if a photo appears sideways.
What about HEIC photos from iPhone?
Convert HEIC to JPG first, then JPG to PDF. Some converters accept HEIC directly.