JPG vs JPEG: Understanding the Most Common Image Format

JPG and JPEG are actually the same file format. The .jpg file extension is commonly used on Windows operating systems, while .jpeg is used on macOS and other Unix-based systems.

The JPG/JPEG file format is a type of compressed image file format that was created by the Joint Photographic Experts Group. It’s a popular file format for storing digital photographs and other types of graphics, as it provides a good balance between image quality and file size.

The compression used in the JPG/JPEG file format works by removing data that is deemed less important to the overall quality of the image. This can result in a smaller file size, but it can also result in a loss of image quality. The amount of compression used can be adjusted to achieve a balance between file size and image quality.

When saving an image in the JPG/JPEG format, you may be given options for the level of compression, color depth, and resolution. These options can affect the final image quality and file size.

It’s important to note that the JPG/JPEG file format is a lossy format, meaning that some image data is lost during compression. If you need to preserve the highest possible image quality, you may want to consider using a lossless file format, such as PNG or TIFF.

Overall, the JPG/JPEG file format is a versatile and widely-used image format that is suitable for a wide range of applications, from web graphics to high-resolution photographs.