Convert JPEG 2000 to JPEG on Mac

Select the JPEG 2000 files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose JPEG and press Return. FileFlip saves each JPEG 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 JPEG 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 “JPEG” to jump to it.

  3. Choose JPEG and press Return

    The JPEG files appear next to the originals. To make them smaller first, press ⇥ and lower the quality or size.

JPEG 2000 and JPEG

JPEG 2000 is rarely supported outside specialist software. JPEG opens everywhere, from email and websites to Windows PCs and photo printing services.

What changes when you convert

  • JPEG is lossy: the file gets much smaller and some fine detail is discarded. At high quality settings the difference is hard to notice.
JPEG 2000 compared with JPEG
PropertyJPEG 2000JPEG
Full nameJPEG 2000Joint Photographic Experts Group
Made byJoint Photographic Experts GroupJoint Photographic Experts Group
Introduced20001992
CompressionLossy or lossless (wavelet)Lossy
TransparencyYesNo
Best forArchiving and professional imagingPhotos you want to send, upload or print anywhere
Opens inPreview and professional imaging tools; most browsers and many apps don’t open itEvery computer, phone, browser and photo app
File extension.jp2.jpg, .jpeg
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 JPEG 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 jpeg image.jp2 \
  --out image.jpg

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 JPEG

Does converting JPEG 2000 to JPEG lose quality?

JPEG is lossy: the file gets much smaller and some fine detail is discarded. At high quality settings the difference is hard to notice.

Can I convert many JPEG 2000 files at once?

Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose JPEG. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.

Where is the JPEG file saved?

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

Can I convert JPEG back to JPEG 2000?

Yes, FileFlip converts JPEG 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