Convert JPEG 2000 to ICO on Mac

Select the JPEG 2000 files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose ICO and press Return. FileFlip saves each ICO next to its original and works without an internet connection.

Coming soon for MacComing soon · macOS 14 Sonoma or later
Example: IMG_4021.HEIC selected in Finder with FileFlip open next to it, suggesting JPEG, PNG and AVIF, with TIFF, PDF, GIF and ICNS under Other formats.

How to convert JPEG 2000 to ICO with FileFlip

  1. Select the JPEG 2000 files

    In Finder or on the Desktop. One file, or a whole folder with ⌘ A.

  2. Press ⌥ F

    FileFlip opens next to the selection and lists the formats it can make from JPEG 2000. Type “ICO” to jump to it.

  3. Choose ICO and press Return

    The ICO files appear next to the originals with the same names. The JPEG 2000 files stay as they are.

JPEG 2000 and ICO

JPEG 2000 is rarely supported outside specialist software. ICO is what Windows uses for icons and what browsers look for as favicon.ico.

What changes when you convert

  • ICO is lossless, so the image is saved without further loss.
  • ICO images are at most 256 × 256 pixels, so large pictures are scaled down.
JPEG 2000 compared with ICO
PropertyJPEG 2000ICO
Full nameJPEG 2000Windows icon
Made byJoint Photographic Experts GroupMicrosoft
CompressionLossy or lossless (wavelet)Bitmap or PNG inside
TransparencyYesYes
Best forArchiving and professional imagingWindows icons and website favicons
Opens inPreview and professional imaging tools; most browsers and many apps don’t open itWindows, web browsers and most image editors
File extension.jp2.ico
In FileFlipOpens and savesOpens 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 Microsoft Icon from the Format menu and click Save. If Microsoft Icon 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 ico image.jp2 \
  --out image.ico

Built into macOS and good for scripts. Run sips --formats to see what your macOS version can read and write.

Questions about JPEG 2000 and ICO

Does converting JPEG 2000 to ICO lose quality?

ICO 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 ICO. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.

How big can an ICO be?

ICO images are at most 256 × 256 pixels. Use a square source image so nothing gets stretched.

Where is the ICO file saved?

Next to the original, with the same name and the .ico extension. The JPEG 2000 file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.

Can I convert ICO back to JPEG 2000?

Yes, FileFlip converts ICO 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