How to convert a PDF to JPG on a Mac
Preview can turn a PDF page into a JPG on a Mac, with a real resolution control, and it exports exactly one page each time. For a single cover page that is fine; for a twelve-page document the browser tool does all of them in one go.
The built-in way on a Mac: Preview
- 01
Open the PDF in Preview and click the page you want in the thumbnail sidebar.
- 02
Choose File → Export, set Format to JPEG, and pick a Quality and a Resolution (150 for screen, 300 for print).
- 03
Click Save. Only the selected page is exported.
- 04
Repeat for each page you need.
Where it falls short
- One page per export; there is no export-all-pages option in Preview.
- Transparent regions are flattened to white without warning.
- The resolution field is easy to leave at the default 72, which produces a small, soft image.
Do it in the browser instead
The same PDF to JPG tool as the main page, running in Safari or Chrome on a Mac. Nothing is installed and the file is processed on your device.
Drop your PDF here
PDF · up to 100 MB · every page becomes a JPG
Processed in your browser. This file never leaves your device.
- 01
Choose the PDF
Open the tool in Safari or Chrome on your Mac and choose the file, or drag it from the Finder straight onto the page.
- 02
Set the DPI and JPEG quality
150 DPI reads well on screen, 300 prints
- 03
Download the result
Click Convert. One page downloads as a JPG; several pages arrive together as a .zip.
Preview or the browser tool?
| Preview | PDF Spree | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free, built in | Free, no account |
| Text stays selectable | Not applicable (images) | Yes |
| File leaves your device | No | No — processed in the browser |
| Works on other devices | No, this platform only | Yes, any modern browser |