Source: https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/how-to-convert-dicom-to-jpeg Guide G–11 · Sharing # How to convert DICOM (.dcm) to JPEG Sometimes you need a picture you can drop into chat rather than a folder of medical files. Exporting JPEG or PNG is fine for illustration as long as everyone knows it is not a full study. This guide covers the tradeoffs, how export works in the app today, and when only the original DICOM is acceptable. Gabriel Theis Founder, OpenMyScan 5 min read Updated October 26, 2026 Intermediate **Just want to convert one slice fast?** Use the dedicated tool: [DICOM to JPG converter →](https://openmyscan.com/en/tools/dicom-to-jpg). Drop your file, pick the slice, download. No install, no upload. ## How do I convert DICOM (.dcm) to JPEG? To convert DICOM to JPEG, open the study folder in the DICOM to JPG converter, select the series and slice, check the preview, and download the JPG. Keep the original DICOM study: an exported picture does not preserve the full scan data needed for clinical review. 1. Open the DICOM folder in the dedicated JPG converter and pick the series and slice you want. 2. Check the displayed image, then click Download in the [DICOM to JPG converter](https://openmyscan.com/en/tools/dicom-to-jpg). 3. 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](https://openmyscan.com/en/tools/dicom-to-jpg). Drop your [DICOM file](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/what-is-dicom-format), 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. ## Related tools and guides - [DICOM to JPG converter](https://openmyscan.com/en/tools/dicom-to-jpg) - [DICOM to PNG converter](https://openmyscan.com/en/tools/dicom-to-png) - [DICOM to PDF converter](https://openmyscan.com/en/tools/dicom-to-pdf) - [What is a DICOM file](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/what-is-dicom-format) - [Free DICOM viewer](https://openmyscan.com/en/dicom-viewer) ## 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. | | PDF | 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](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/how-to-open-dicom-zip-files) or the [troubleshooting guide](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/dicom-files-wont-open). [Convert a DICOM image to JPG](https://openmyscan.com/en/tools/dicom-to-jpg) // open your scan Ready Open your scan right now OpenMyScan runs in your browser. Your files stay on your computer while you review them. [Open viewer](https://openmyscan.com/en/dicom-viewer) ## 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. → try it now ## Open *your* scan Your original scan files are read on your device without a scan upload. Local previews and settings can persist after closing the tab; clear this site’s browser data to remove them completely. [Convert DICOM to JPG](https://openmyscan.com/en/tools/dicom-to-jpg) [Browse all guides](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides) ## Keep reading [All 14 guides →](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides) [G–12 · Understanding What is a DICOM file? DICOM is the file format every MRI and CT scanner produces. It is not a photo. A DICOM image file may hold one image or multiple frames with metadata. Here's the short version. Read guide](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/what-is-dicom-format) [G–05 · Opening Best DICOM viewer for your scans: free and paid options Compare free and paid DICOM viewers for MRI and CT: OpenMyScan, MicroDicom, OsiriX MD and RadiAnt. Check accounts, local viewing, exports and license terms. Read guide](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/best-free-dicom-viewer) OpenMyScan is a viewer for images you already own. It is not a diagnostic tool, is not FDA- or CE-cleared, and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor.