Converting JPG is different from converting PNG
JPG files are compressed in a way that adds faint blocks and halos around edges, especially around text and flat colors. If you trace a JPG naively, every one of those artifacts becomes a tiny shape and the SVG gets bloated and messy. This converter groups similar colors first, then traces the grouped areas, so most of the JPEG noise is absorbed into the nearest real color.
Step by step
- Load your JPG. Drag it onto the tool above. Photos straight from a phone work, but they are resized to 2 megapixels on the free plan.
- Choose a preset. Logo for graphics and scanned prints, Photo posterize for pictures of people, pets and places, Sketch for pencil drawings, Line art for black and white ink.
- Set Colors. For a flat graphic, use the number of colors you can actually see. For a photo, 8 to 16 colors gives a classic poster look.
- Download the SVG. The file opens in Illustrator, Inkscape, Figma, Affinity Designer, Canva (as an uploaded SVG) and cutting machine software.
Getting the best result from a JPG
Use the biggest version you have
Tracing works from the pixels in the file. A 300 pixel wide thumbnail simply does not contain enough information for smooth curves. If you only have a small JPG, Pro's HD smoothing upscales it 2x before tracing, which rounds off stair-step edges.
Fix the background first
JPG has no transparency, so the background is always part of the image. If it is white or near white, keep Remove white background on and it disappears from the SVG. If it is a colored wall or table, crop tightly around the subject first, or switch off background removal and delete the background shape in your editor afterwards.
Scanned drawings and signatures
For a scan of ink on paper, choose Line art and move Threshold until the paper texture vanishes but your lines stay solid. You get a single black path that you can recolor, resize, or turn into a stamp, a laser engraving or a vinyl decal.
JPG vs SVG at a glance
| JPG | SVG | |
|---|---|---|
| Scales without blur | No | Yes |
| Transparent background | No | Yes |
| Cutting machines and lasers can follow it | No | Yes |
| Best for | Photos | Logos, icons, cut files, signs |
Frequently asked questions
Can I convert a JPG photo to SVG?
Yes. Use the Photo posterize preset. The result is a stylized vector made of flat color areas, not a photo-realistic copy, because SVG stores shapes rather than individual pixels.
Why is my SVG file large?
Many colors and a high Detail value create many small shapes. Lower the color count or Detail for a smaller, cleaner file.
Is there a file size limit?
Free conversions are resized to 2 megapixels before tracing. Pro traces images up to 16 megapixels.
Do you keep a copy of my JPG?
No. The file is processed in your browser and never uploaded.