Convert Images to HEIC/HEIF Online — Free Image Converter
Use this free online tool to convert JPG, PNG, BMP, and other image formats to HEIC/HEIF — the modern image format used by Apple iOS 11 and later devices — without installing any software.
What is HEIC/HEIF?
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is Apple’s file format for images captured on iPhone and iPad devices running iOS 11 or later. It is based on the HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format) standard developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG). HEIF defines the container structure, while HEIC specifies the use of the HEVC (H.265) codec to compress the actual image data. This pairing allows HEIC files to store high-quality photos at roughly half the file size of a comparable JPEG — without a visible loss in quality.
Because HEIC relies on HEVC compression, encoding can be computationally intensive. Conversion time therefore depends on image dimensions and the complexity of the scene being compressed.
Why convert to HEIC?
There are several practical reasons to convert existing images into the HEIC format:
- Smaller file sizes: HEIC typically compresses images to roughly half the storage footprint of JPEG at equivalent visual quality, making it ideal for archiving large photo libraries.
- Apple ecosystem compatibility: iPhones, iPads, and Macs natively read and write HEIC, so converting images to this format ensures seamless integration with iOS Photos and iCloud.
- Preserved image quality: The HEVC codec supports up to 16-bit colour depth and a wide colour gamut, retaining detail that JPEG’s 8-bit encoding can lose.
- Metadata and depth support: HEIF containers can store multiple images, depth maps, and rich metadata within a single file — useful for portrait-mode shots and image sequences.
Supported input formats
The converter accepts a wide range of common raster image formats as input, including JPG/JPEG, PNG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, WebP, and others. Any image you would like to store or share in the Apple-native HEIC format can be uploaded and converted directly in your browser — no desktop software required.
Frequently asked questions
Is this HEIC converter free to use?
Yes, the tool is completely free. You can convert images to HEIC/HEIF online without paying anything or creating an account.
Why does the conversion take longer than other formats?
HEIC uses HEVC (H.265) compression, which is computationally demanding. Conversion time depends on image size and scene complexity, so large or detailed images may take noticeably longer to process than a standard JPEG conversion.
Can I open HEIC files on Windows or Android?
Windows 10 and 11 can open HEIC files after installing the Microsoft HEIF Image Extensions (available free in the Microsoft Store). Android support varies by device and app; some modern Android phones handle HEIC natively, while others require a third-party viewer.
What happens to my uploaded images after conversion?
Uploaded files are processed on the server solely to perform the conversion and are deleted automatically afterwards. Your images are not stored, shared, or used for any other purpose.
Can I be notified when a large conversion is done?
Yes. If you are logged in to your Conversion-Tool.com account, you can opt in to receive an email notification once the conversion finishes — handy for large files that take a while to process.