How to Create a PDF from Images (JPG, PNG, TIFF)

Turning images into a PDF is one of those tasks that comes up more often than you'd think. Scanned documents, photos of receipts, screenshots for a report, or a collection of pictures you want to share as one file — all of these are easier to handle as a PDF.

Here's the good news: you don't need special software. Every operating system and most web browsers can do this for free. This guide covers every method, sorted by device.

Method 1: Windows (Built-in Print to PDF)

Windows 10 and 11 include a virtual "Print to PDF" printer that works with any image viewer.

Single Image:

Right-click your image file (JPG, PNG, BMP, TIFF).
Select Print.
In the printer dropdown, choose Microsoft Print to PDF.
Click Print.
Choose where to save the PDF and click Save.

Multiple Images into One PDF:

Select all the images you want to combine.
Right-click and select Print.
Choose Microsoft Print to PDF as the printer.
Adjust layout options (full page photos, contact sheet, etc.).
Click Print and save the PDF.

Tip: The images are added in the order you selected them. To control the page order, rename files with numbers first (01.jpg, 02.jpg, etc.) and sort by name before selecting.

Method 2: Mac (Preview and Quick Actions)

Using Preview:

Select all your images in Finder (Cmd+click or Cmd+A).
Right-click and choose Open With > Preview.
All images open in a single Preview window. If they open in separate windows, select all images first, then right-click and choose "Open With > Preview."
Select all images in the sidebar (Cmd+A).
Go to File > Export as PDF.
Name the file and choose where to save it.

Using Finder Quick Action:

Select your images in Finder.
Right-click > Quick Actions > Create PDF.
A combined PDF appears in the same folder instantly.

Method 3: iPhone and iPad

Using the Files App:

Open the Files app.
Navigate to your images (or save photos to Files first).
Tap Select and choose the images you want.
Tap the More button (three dots) at the bottom.
Tap Create PDF.
The PDF saves in the same folder.

Using the Photos App:

Open Photos and select your images.
Tap the Share button.
Choose Print.
Pinch outward on the print preview to expand it into a full PDF.
Tap the Share button again to save or send the PDF.

Method 4: Android

Open the Gallery or Photos app.
Long-press to select multiple images.
Tap Print or Save as PDF.
If Print is the only option, select "Save as PDF" from the printer dropdown.
Save the PDF.

Alternative: Google Drive can also convert images to PDF. Upload the images, open one, tap the three-dot menu, and choose "Print" > "Save as PDF."

Method 5: Free Online Tools

If you need more control over page size, margins, or image quality, online tools give you options the built-in methods don't.

Popular free options:

iLovePDF JPG to PDF: Upload images, set page size and orientation, convert.
Smallpdf: Drag and drop, adjust layout, download. Free for 2 documents per day.
PDF24: Fully free, no limits. Upload images and customize margins, page size, and alignment.

Controlling Image Quality and File Size

When creating a PDF from images, the file size depends heavily on the image resolution and format:

For documents (scans, receipts): 150-200 DPI is sufficient. Higher DPI means larger files with no visible improvement.
For photos: Use original resolution if quality matters. If sharing by email, resize to 72-150 DPI first.
JPEG vs PNG: JPEG produces smaller files. PNG keeps transparency and sharp edges but results in larger PDFs.
Compression: If the resulting PDF is too large, run it through a PDF compressor afterward.

Common Issues

Images appear rotated or sideways in the PDF

The image's EXIF orientation data might not be read correctly. Rotate the image in your photo viewer first, save it, then convert to PDF.

PDF file size is massive

High-resolution photos create large PDFs. Compress the images before converting, or compress the PDF afterward using our compression tool.

Images look blurry in the PDF

The print-to-PDF method may downscale images. For high-quality results, use an online tool like PDF24 that lets you set the output resolution.

The Bottom Line

You don't need to install anything to turn images into a PDF. Windows and Mac both have built-in PDF creation, and phones handle it natively too. For more control over layout and quality, use a free online tool. Pick the method that matches your device and move on.