Convert JPEG 2000 to GIF on Mac
Select the JPEG 2000 files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose GIF and press Return. FileFlip saves each GIF next to its original and works without an internet connection.
How to convert JPEG 2000 to GIF with FileFlip
Select the JPEG 2000 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 JPEG 2000. Type “GIF” to jump to it.
Choose GIF and press Return
The GIF files appear next to the originals with the same names. The JPEG 2000 files stay as they are.
JPEG 2000 and GIF
JPEG 2000 is rarely supported outside specialist software. GIF animations play everywhere, from chat apps to old email clients.
What changes when you convert
- GIF is lossless, so the image is saved without further loss.
- GIF is limited to 256 colors, so photos can look grainy or banded.
| Property | JPEG 2000 | GIF |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | JPEG 2000 | Graphics Interchange Format |
| Made by | Joint Photographic Experts Group | CompuServe |
| Introduced | 2000 | 1987 |
| Compression | Lossy or lossless (wavelet) | Lossless, up to 256 colors |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Archiving and professional imaging | Short animations and simple graphics |
| Opens in | Preview and professional imaging tools; most browsers and many apps don’t open it | Everywhere, including browsers and chat apps |
| File extension | .jp2 | .gif |
| 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 JPEG 2000 in Preview, choose File → Export, pick GIF from the Format menu and click Save. If GIF isn’t listed, hold Option while you click the Format menu. 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 gif image.jp2 \
--out image.gifBuilt into macOS and good for scripts. Run sips --formats to see what your macOS version can read and write.
Questions about JPEG 2000 and GIF
Does converting JPEG 2000 to GIF lose quality?
GIF is lossless, so the image is saved without further loss.
Can I convert many JPEG 2000 files at once?
Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose GIF. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.
Where is the GIF file saved?
Next to the original, with the same name and the .gif extension. The JPEG 2000 file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert GIF back to JPEG 2000?
Yes, FileFlip converts GIF to JPEG 2000 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