Just want to convert one slice fast? Use the dedicated tool: DICOM to JPG converter →. Drop your file, pick the slice, download. No install, no upload.
How do I convert DICOM (.dcm) to JPEG?#
- Open the DICOM folder in the dedicated JPG converter and pick the series and slice you want.
- Check the displayed image, then click Download in the DICOM to JPG converter.
- Label the image "example slice only" when you share it, and keep the original DICOM for real clinical questions.
Step 1 — Export one slice the responsible way#
Select the intended series and slice, check the converter preview, then download the JPG. Mention which direction you are viewing (axial, sagittal, etc.) in the filename or caption so recipients know what they are seeing.
Step 2 — Export using the dedicated converter#
The fastest path is the dedicated converter at /tools/dicom-to-jpg. Drop your DICOM file, pick the slice, click Download. Use the JPG converter for a selected image; PNG and PDF have their own linked tools below. You do not need to load the same study into two pages first.
Step 3 — Understand what disappears#
JPEG throws away subtle shades. DICOM window settings, slice thickness, and measurement tags vanish in a flat image. That is why remote second opinions still want DICOM.
Step 4 — When JPEG is the wrong tool#
Keep the complete original study and follow the receiving clinic’s format and transfer instructions. A selected JPEG does not contain the complete study.
What goes wrong when exporting DICOM to JPEG?#
- My JPEG looks blocky
- Try PNG if you need to avoid JPEG compression artifacts. Neither format preserves the complete original DICOM study.
- Colors look wrong
- MRI is grayscale; color maps are display tricks, not new data.
- Someone asked for JPEG but I am exporting from a different machine than usual
- Export there, then transfer the images with the same caution you would use for any medical file.
- I need to remove my name before sharing a screenshot
- Check the downloaded image for visible names, dates, and text burned into the pixels before sharing it. Exporting an image is not a guarantee of anonymization. Keep the original DICOM private.
Should I choose JPG, PNG, or PDF?#
| Format | Useful for | What it does not preserve |
|---|---|---|
| JPG / JPEG | A widely compatible picture for a document or selected-image illustration. | The full DICOM study, original grayscale range, and interactive windowing; JPEG also uses lossy compression. |
| PNG | A rendered image without JPEG compression loss. | The original study's full imaging data and metadata. |
| Selected images arranged in a document. | A complete scrollable DICOM study or a radiologist's report unless you separately include one. |
Why does my exported image look different?#
The JPG converter applies the window settings stored in the scan, or an automatic fallback, when drawing the selected slice. It has series and slice selectors, but no manual brightness or contrast controls. Check its preview before downloading. Adjustments made separately in the viewer do not transfer to the converter. A different window setting in another program can make the same source scan look different.
Keep the original DICOM files unchanged. If a doctor needs the examination, use their transfer instructions and send the complete study. For download problems, see opening a DICOM ZIP or the troubleshooting guide.
Common questions#
Is PNG better than JPEG for scans?
PNG avoids JPEG compression loss in the exported picture. Both are rendered images, not replacements for the original DICOM data. Choose the format the recipient needs and keep the original study.
Can a doctor still use my JPEG?
Ask the receiving clinic which formats it accepts. Keep the complete original study and follow its format and transfer instructions.
Does this work offline?
You can continue viewing an already loaded study while its tab stays open. Load the intended study and try the features you need while online first: an uncached decoder or feature may still require a connection. Loading the page once does not guarantee full offline use after reopening it.
What if my hospital CD has an installer (.exe / .app)?
Ignore it. Those launchers are often broken on modern computers. Copy the DICOM folder off the disc and open that folder in OpenMyScan instead.