- Rebecca Tomasis
- Apr 8
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 17
If you’ve worked with images in digital design, you’ve probably encountered JPEG files countless times. From uploading profile pictures to designing banners, JPEGs are an essential part of everyday life. Their balance of quality and file size makes them a go-to format for designers and casual users alike.
If you're a designer, a photographer or someone who shares visuals online, understanding JPEG files is essential for graphic design and can make your work easier and more efficient. This blog will break down what JPEG files are, their uses, pros and cons, how to create and edit them and how they compare to other image file types. By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of when and how to use JPEGs in graphic design.
Learn more about how to edit photos with JPEGs to bring your visuals to life.
What is a JPEG file?
JPEG stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group, the organization that created this popular image format. It’s a widely-used compressed image format capable of displaying millions of colors, making it ideal for photographs and other visuals where color variety and color theory are important.
JPEG files are lossy compression files, meaning they reduce file size by removing some data from the image. While this makes them lightweight and easy to share, it can slightly affect image quality. Despite this, JPEG remains the go-to format for images across websites, social media and even email attachments.
What are JPEG files used for?
The versatility of JPEG files makes them suitable for a variety of purposes, especially those involving visual communication.
Web content: JPEGs are great for websites. Pictures load quickly because the file sizes are small, ensuring your audience isn’t left waiting for images to appear.
Social media: Social platforms favor JPEGs, as they balance quality and file size well. Whether you're posting travel photos or creating memes, this format works seamlessly.
Print design: While JPEGs aren’t the best choice for projects requiring high-resolution quality, they’re often used for casual printing like flyers or photo albums.
Photography: Cameras frequently save images as JPEGs by default, allowing photographers to save more images on memory cards without taking up too much space.
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Advantages of using JPEG files
Small file size: JPEGs are lightweight, so they’re easy to distribute and upload. This makes them perfect for websites and email attachments.
Universally supported: Nearly every device and software program out there can open and use JPEGs.
Rich color support: JPEG files can display 16 million colors, making them ideal for detailed, color-rich images like photographs.
Disadvantages of using JPEG files
Compression loss: Every time you save a JPEG, the image loses data, which can lower the quality over time.
Not suitable for transparency: JPEGs don’t support transparency. For images requiring a clear background, you’d need to use a different format.
Limited suitability for editing: Because of compression, extensive edits can make JPEG images look less sharp when compared to other formats.
JPEG vs other file types
Not sure when to choose JPEG over other image formats? Here’s how it stacks up against some common alternatives.
JPEG vs HEIC
HEIC is a newer photo format used on Apple devices, offering better compression with minimal quality loss, but it can face compatibility issues as not all software supports it. JPEG, on the other hand, is highly compatible with nearly all devices and tools, making it a more reliable choice for sharing and distributing files.
JPEG vs PNG
PNG supports transparency, making it ideal when designing a logo and graphics with clear backgrounds, but its larger file size makes it less suitable for fast-loading web pages. On the other hand, JPEG is better for photos and images where smaller file sizes are needed, though it doesn’t support transparency, which can limit its use in design projects.
JPEG vs SVG
SVG is ideal for vector graphics like icons or logos that need to scale without losing quality, making it a popular choice in web design and interface elements. On the other hand, JPEG works better for static photo-realistic images but cannot scale indefinitely without losing clarity, which makes it less suitable for tasks involving significant resizing.
JPEG vs WebP
WebP is a relatively newer image format developed by Google, which boasts superior compression and smaller file sizes compared to JPEG. However, WebP is not yet widely supported by all browsers and devices, so it may not be the best choice for universal compatibility. Nevertheless, as this image format continues to gain popularity and support, it may become a viable alternative to JPEG in the future.
Comparison of image file formats
Is there a difference between JPG and JPEG?
No. These two file formats are exactly the same. The only difference is that the .jpeg file extension was created because earlier versions of Windows including the MS-DOS 8.3 and FAT-16 file systems required three letter file extensions. Therefore, .jpeg was shortened to .jpg. However, earlier versions of UNIX and MAC did not require a shortened file extension and continued to use .jpeg. Today, all computer systems accept longer file extension names, making .jpeg the primary extension. For example, photo editing programs automatically save files as .jpeg, however if you try to save an image using .jpg, this will work as well.
In fact, there are a few other less common file extensions equivalent to JPEG. They are all interchangeable, but JPEG and JPG are the most common. Others include:
.jpe
.jif
.jfif
.jfi
Switch between formats without skipping a beat. Upload your image, select the file type you need and share your new format across your favorite platforms.
How to convert to HEIC file format
Creating and editing JPEG files is straightforward with the right tools and techniques. Most digital cameras and smartphones save images as JPEGs by default, but you can also convert files using a photo editor like Wixel, which allows you to export designs directly as JPEGs. On most devices, it’s as simple as selecting "Save as" and choosing the JPEG format.
For editing, tools like Wixel let you crop, resize and adjust brightness or color levels easily, but be cautious—repeatedly saving a JPEG can degrade its quality due to compression. Whenever possible, work on the original file and save it as a JPEG only as the final step to maintain the best quality.
If you need to convert a JPEG to another format, there are plenty of online tools available. Some popular formats for images include PNG, GIF and BMP. Just keep in mind that each image file types has its own pros and cons, so choose the one that best suits your needs.
Easily convert your images to any format with the Wixel image converter tools:
JPEG files FAQ
Can I recover lost quality in a JPEG image?
Not really. Once image data is compressed and removed during the saving process, it can’t be recovered. For the best results, always work with the original file and save as JPEG only at the end.
