Convert GIF to JPEG 2000 on Mac
Select the GIF files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose JPEG 2000 and press Return. FileFlip saves each JPEG 2000 next to its original and works without an internet connection.
How to convert GIF to JPEG 2000 with FileFlip
Select the GIF files
In Finder or on the Desktop. One file, or a whole folder with ⌘ A.
Press ⌥ F
FileFlip opens next to the selection and lists the formats it can make from GIF. Type “JPEG 2000” to jump to it.
Choose JPEG 2000 and press Return
The JPEG 2000 files appear next to the originals with the same names. The GIF files stay as they are.
GIF and JPEG 2000
GIF is limited to 256 colors and makes large files. Some archives and professional imaging systems ask for JPEG 2000.
What changes when you convert
- JPEG 2000 can store the image either lossy or lossless.
| Property | GIF | JPEG 2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Graphics Interchange Format | JPEG 2000 |
| Made by | CompuServe | Joint Photographic Experts Group |
| Introduced | 1987 | 2000 |
| Compression | Lossless, up to 256 colors | Lossy or lossless (wavelet) |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Short animations and simple graphics | Archiving and professional imaging |
| Opens in | Everywhere, including browsers and chat apps | Preview and professional imaging tools; most browsers and many apps don’t open it |
| File extension | .gif | .jp2 |
| In FileFlip | Opens and saves | Opens and saves |
Other ways on a Mac
For one file now and then you may not need FileFlip. These work with what’s already on your Mac.
Preview
Open the GIF in Preview, choose File → Export, pick JPEG-2000 from the Format menu and click Save. For several files, open them together, select all thumbnails in the sidebar and choose File → Export Selected Images.
Good for a few files now and then.
Terminal
The sips command converts images in place or into a new file.
sips -s format jp2 animation.gif \
--out animation.jp2Built into macOS and good for scripts. Run sips --formats to see what your macOS version can read and write.
Questions about GIF and JPEG 2000
Does converting GIF to JPEG 2000 lose quality?
JPEG 2000 can store the image either lossy or lossless.
Can I convert many GIF files at once?
Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose JPEG 2000. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.
Where is the JPEG 2000 file saved?
Next to the original, with the same name and the .jp2 extension. The GIF file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert JPEG 2000 back to GIF?
Yes, FileFlip converts JPEG 2000 to GIF as well.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. FileFlip converts files on your Mac and works with the internet turned off.
Convert a whole folder of images at once
FileFlip also handles video, audio, PDFs, documents and data files. Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
Coming soon for Mac