JPG file format
Joint Photographic Experts Group (.jpg): photos you want to share, upload, email or print.
JPG (or JPEG) is the most widely used image format in the world. It compresses photos by discarding detail the eye barely notices, so a 12-megapixel picture fits in 2–5 MB. The trade-off is that every re-save loses a little more quality, and it cannot store transparency.
| Full name | Joint Photographic Experts Group |
|---|---|
| File extension | .jpg, .jpeg, .jfif, .jpe |
| MIME type | image/jpeg |
| Created | 1992 by the Joint Photographic Experts Group committee |
| Compression | Lossy |
| Transparency | No |
| Animation | No |
| Colors | 8 bits per channel (16.7 million colors) |
| Opens on | Everything: every browser, phone, computer, printer kiosk and photo app |
| Best for | photos you want to share, upload, email or print |
Advantages
- Opens absolutely everywhere
- Small files for photographs
- Adjustable quality vs. size
Drawbacks
- Lossy: quality drops a little with every re-save
- No transparency
- Blurry edges on text, logos and screenshots
Convert JPG to…
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Frequently asked questions
What is a .jpg file?
JPG (or JPEG) is the most widely used image format in the world. It compresses photos by discarding detail the eye barely notices, so a 12-megapixel picture fits in 2–5 MB. The trade-off is that every re-save loses a little more quality, and it cannot store transparency.
How do I open a JPG file?
JPG files open on Everything: every browser, phone, computer, printer kiosk and photo app. If a program will not open yours, convert it to a more common format.
Is JPG lossless?
No, JPG uses lossy compression: some detail is discarded to make files smaller.
How do I convert JPG?
Use one of the converters below — they run in your browser, so your images are never uploaded. Most popular: JPG to PNG, JPG to WebP, JPG to PDF.