How to Convert Raw Files to JPG

Last Updated: October 5, 2020

This wikiHow will teach you how to convert RAW files to JPG format to make them smaller, easier to share, and more user-friendly. You can use a web browser on your desktop or mobile phone and tablet or you can use GIMP with an extension to do this easily.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
Using GIMP and RawTherapee

1
Download and install GIMP from https://www.gimp.org/downloads/ (if you don't have it). It's a free image editing software that you can download on both Mac and Windows.
2
Download and install RawTherapee from https://rawtherapee.com/downloads/. It's a free download for Mac and Windows.
- Double-click the downloaded file to run the installer wizard. If you have a Mac, this will include dragging the icon to your Applications folder in Finder.
3
Open RawTherapee. It should open immediately after the installation, but, if not, you'll find this in the "Recently added" section of your Start menu or in your Applications folder.
4
Click the preferences icon that looks like a vertical switch board. You'll see it in the bottom left corner of the application window.
5
Click to select "GIMP installation directory" and select your computer name from the drop-down. It's under the "External Editor" header. If you're using RawTherapee with Photoshop or some other photo editor, make sure to change the settings appropriately here.
6
Navigate to your GIMP directory. Your path could look like this: "Program Files > GIMP 2" if that's where your GIMP 2 is installed.
7
Click Open and Ok. This will close the pop-up windows.
8
Close RawTherapee. You can click the x in the top right corner of the app to close it.
9
Open GIMP. You'll find it in your Start menu or Applications folder in Finder.
10
Drag and drop your RAW file to GIMP. It should open with a greeting pop-up dialog window.
- Click OK to continue using the RAW file in RawTherapee plugin for GIMP.
11
Close the RawTherapee window. Click the x in the top right corner of the application window. The RAW photo will open in GIMP.^{[1]
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12
Export the file to JPG. Click File > Export and give the file a name and save location.
- Click Select File Type (By Extension) to see a list of all the file formats you can use.
- Select JPEG image and click Export.^{[2]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
Using a Web Browser

1
Go to https://www.zamzar.com/convert/raw-to-jpg/ in a web browser. You can use any web browser on either Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Android to use Zamzar to convert RAW files to JPG.
- Zamzar is a free online converter that you don't need to sign up for an account to use. If you want upgraded perks, you can sign up for a free account or pay for even better upgrades.
2
Click or tap Add Files. Your file manager will open for you to select your RAW file. You can select multiple files, but you're limited to 50mb per session.
3
Navigate to your RAW file and double-click it. You'll see the name of your file replace "Step 1" as the progress bar fills.
4
Select "jpg" from the drop-down list in Step 2. If this is already selected, move on to the next step.
5
Click or tap Convert Now. You'll see your conversion progress in the bar below "Step 3."
6
Click or tap Download. It's a dark blue button to the right of your converted file's name.
7
Name your file and click Save. Your file manager will appear and you can change the file name and save location before continuing.