How to Convert RAW Photos to JPEG Format

The fastest way to convert RAW to JPEG

The simplest method is to use the software that came with your camera. Canon cameras ship with Canon's Digital Photo Professional, Nikon with Nikon ViewNX-i, and Sony with Sony Imaging Edge. Open your RAW file in that program, then export or save it as JPEG — the menu option is usually under File > Export or File > Save As.

If you don't have your camera's software or prefer not to use it, Adobe Lightroom (paid subscription) and the free program Darktable both open RAW files and export to JPEG in a few clicks. Lightroom is faster if you're converting many files at once, because you can batch-process an entire folder. Darktable is free but has a steeper learning curve.

On Windows, you can also right-click a RAW file, select "Open with", and choose Photos (the built-in Windows app). Photos can display RAW files and save them as JPEG, though it offers no editing controls — it simply converts what the camera recorded.

Key Takeaways

Your camera's own software (Canon's DPP, Nikon's ViewNX-i, Sony's Imaging Edge) can open RAW files and export them as JPEG without installing anything else.
Adobe Lightroom and the free program Darktable both convert RAW to JPEG and let you adjust exposure, color, and sharpness before saving.
Windows Photos app can convert RAW to JPEG but offers no editing — it saves the file exactly as the camera captured it.
Batch conversion (processing many files at once) is fastest in Lightroom, which can export a whole folder to JPEG in minutes.

What happens when you convert RAW to JPEG

RAW is an unprocessed format — it contains all the data your camera sensor captured, but no color grading, sharpening, or compression. When you convert to JPEG, the software must make decisions about how to render that data: what white balance to use, how much contrast, how much sharpening. Different programs make different choices, so the same RAW file can look slightly different depending on which software converts it.

JPEG is also compressed, meaning the file size shrinks dramatically — a RAW file from a modern camera is often 30 to 50 megabytes, while the JPEG version is usually 5 to 10 megabytes. You cannot recover the discarded data later, so conversion is one-way. If you think you might want to re-edit the photo in the future, keep the RAW file alongside the JPEG.

Using your camera's native software

Canon's Digital Photo Professional (DPP) is free and comes on a disc or as a download from Canon's website. Open the program, navigate to your RAW file, and you'll see a preview. Click the image, then go to File > Convert and Save As. Choose JPEG as the format, set the quality slider (higher numbers mean larger files and better quality — 90 or above is standard), and click Save.

Nikon's ViewNX-i works similarly: open the RAW file, then use File > Save As and select JPEG. Sony's Imaging Edge has the same workflow. All three programs let you adjust exposure and color before saving, though the adjustments are optional — you can convert without touching any settings.

The advantage of using your camera's software is that it's optimized for your camera's RAW format and usually produces the most accurate color rendering. The disadvantage is that each manufacturer's software is different, so the steps vary slightly depending on your camera brand.

Converting with Adobe Lightroom

Lightroom is a subscription service (part of Adobe Creative Cloud, roughly $10 per month for photography). Open Lightroom, import your RAW files by dragging them into the Library panel, then select the photos you want to convert. Go to File > Export Photos, choose JPEG as the file format, set the quality to 90 or higher, and click Export.

Lightroom's main advantage is batch processing: you can select 100 RAW files, export them all at once, and Lightroom will convert each one in the background. You can also apply the same edits (brightness, contrast, color correction) to all selected files before exporting, which saves time if you're processing a full shoot.

Lightroom also stores your edits separately from the original RAW file, so you can always go back and change your mind. The RAW file itself never changes — only the JPEG export reflects your adjustments.

Converting with Darktable (free alternative)

Darktable is free, open-source software available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Download it from darktable.org, install it, then open the program. Click the folder icon to navigate to your RAW files, select the image you want to convert, and you'll see a preview on the right side.

To export as JPEG, go to Image > Export and choose JPEG as the format. Set the quality slider (90 or above is recommended), choose where to save the file, and click Export. Darktable also supports batch export: select multiple images in the filmstrip at the bottom, then export them all at once.

Darktable is powerful and free, but the interface is less intuitive than Lightroom or your camera's software. If you're comfortable learning new software and want to avoid a subscription, it's a solid choice. If you prefer simplicity, your camera's native software is usually faster.

Choosing the right quality setting

Most conversion software asks you to set a quality level for the JPEG, usually on a scale of 1 to 100. At 90 or above, the JPEG is visually identical to the RAW file for most purposes — you won't see a difference on screen or in a standard print. At 80 to 89, the compression becomes slightly visible to trained eyes but is acceptable for web use and social media. Below 80, compression artifacts (small blocky patterns) become noticeable.

For photos you plan to print or edit further, use 95 or higher. For photos you're uploading to Instagram or email, 85 to 90 is sufficient and saves file size. The difference between quality 90 and quality 100 is usually less than 1 megabyte per file, so there's no harm in defaulting to 95 if you're unsure.

Batch converting multiple RAW files

If you have dozens or hundreds of RAW files to convert, batch processing saves hours. In Lightroom, select all the files you want to convert (Ctrl+A on Windows, Cmd+A on Mac), then File > Export Photos. Set your JPEG quality and destination folder, and Lightroom will convert them all without requiring you to click through each one.

In Darktable, select multiple images by clicking the first one, then holding Shift and clicking the last one. Go to Image > Export, set your options, and click Export — Darktable will process all selected files. Your camera's native software usually doesn't support batch export, so if you have more than a few files, Lightroom or Darktable is faster.

When batch converting, make sure you're happy with your quality and color settings before you start, because the same settings apply to every file. If you need different edits for different photos, you'll have to convert them in smaller groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I convert RAW to JPEG without any software?

No. RAW is a proprietary format that only specialized software can read. Your operating system cannot open or convert RAW files on its own. You need either your camera's software, Lightroom, Darktable, or another RAW-capable program.

Will the JPEG look exactly like the RAW file?

Not always. Different software interprets RAW data slightly differently, so the same RAW file may look marginally different depending on which program converts it. Your camera's native software usually produces the most accurate result because it's designed specifically for your camera's sensor. The differences are usually subtle — white balance, contrast, and sharpness may vary by a few percent.

Should I delete the RAW file after converting to JPEG?

Not immediately. Keep the RAW file if you think you might want to re-edit the photo later or if you're not happy with how the JPEG looks. RAW files are large, so once you're confident the JPEG is final, you can delete the RAW to save storage space. Many photographers keep RAW files for important photos and delete them for casual shots.

What if my camera's software is slow or crashes?

Try Darktable (free) or Lightroom (paid). Both are more stable than some camera manufacturers' software and often faster. You can also try the free online converter CloudConvert, which accepts RAW files and outputs JPEG — upload your file, choose JPEG as the output format, and download the result. This works if you only have a few files to convert.

Can I convert RAW to JPEG on my phone?

Most phones cannot open RAW files natively. You would need to transfer the RAW file to a computer first, convert it there, and then move the JPEG back to your phone. Some apps like Adobe Lightroom Mobile can open RAW files if you have a Lightroom subscription and have synced the files to the cloud, but this is slower than converting on a desktop.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.