JPG vs JPEG: Understanding the Difference

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Anybody who’s dealt with images by now would be aware of the JPEG and JPG file formats. Whether you’re designing a blog post or searching for a free stock image for your site, it’s common to land on these formats.

Many have wondered if JPEG and JPG are the same just like internet buyers wonder if Cox plans is similar to other ISPs out there.  At the first glance, these formats look the same. In fact, there are so similar, these terms were used interchangeably in the past.

Let’s take a deeper look into the two formats so that it’s clear if they are different or the same and which one is best for your site.

What Is a JPEG?

Joint Photographic Experts Group or JPEG was first issued by ISO in 1992. It represents 24-bit images with each RGB color model featuring 8 bits. This image format supports 16 million colors but it doesn’t support transparency.

When you save an image in JPEG format, lossy file compression discards some of its data. As a result, the image takes 50 to 75% less storage space, without compromising on image quality. Whenever you are uploading an image on your blog or site, your goal is to find the right balance between keeping the quality of the image and ensuring that the site’s speed isn’t influenced. A large image takes forever to load. It can also harm the user’s experience. Thanks to JPEG’s lossy compression feature, the image is compressed and you are able to retain the quality and optimize the speed of your site.

JPEG is a great way of saving an image. This format is commonly used by most digital cameras. Although it works for most image types, it’s not ideal for images with a sharper edge. For sharper images, PNG works best.

What Is a JPG?

JPG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) file format is JPEG in its raw form. This format isn’t used much today because of its limitations. The story behind the formation of JPG is amusing. This file extension existed because, in the earlier versions of Windows, you were allowed to name a file extension with 3 characters only. Hence, JPEG was shortened to JPG.

Things have changed now and Mac and Windows accept longer file extensions. But why does the JPG extension still exists today? It basically exists for those who are using an outdated version of Windows and need JPG.

This file format hasn’t really changed but Windows file labeling has evolved. Hence, there is so much confusion in the JPEG and JPG image world. This is exactly why when saving an image on Windows, you might still see the JPG option in the file format options.

Both Formats As Are Same!

Ultimately, both file formats are the same. The only difference is one a three-letter extension and the other one is a four-letter extension.

Regardless of what they are called, these files reduce the image size and make a site load faster. These are two universally accepted file formats, so you won’t have to worry about compatibility when uploading JPG or JPEG images.

Features of JPG and JPEG

Apart from the lossy compression, here are some noteworthy features of these two file formats:

Raster Images

JPG and JPEG both are raster images. These images are created when a certain number of pixels come together to form an image. When a raster image is enlarged, it looks pixelated and grainy. Raster images are a standard. They are widely used across the web. They are best suited for scanning artwork, detailed graphics, print, and photographs.

Ideal for Web Graphics

These file formats are ideal for websites and social media. Web developers and marketing teams use them widely whether it’s in the header, footer, product thumbnails, product images, and more.

Which Is Better: JPG or JPEG?

At this point, you must be wondering which one’s better? Since there isn’t much difference between the two, one is not necessarily better than the other. Images in both file formats look the same and function the same. In other words, if you were saving an image as JGP and then saving it again as JPEG, you won’t find much difference between the two. After all, you’re simply labeling the files.

Are you adamant about choosing one file format? If so, I would recommend sticking with JPEG. That’s because most systems now support this file extension. Also, it retains the quality of the photo and doesn’t harm your site’s speed.

How to Convert JPG Image Into JPEG?

In most cases, it doesn’t really matter whether you are using JPG or JPEG files but if you would like to convert JPG into JPEG based on your needs, the most common solution is to use an online converter.

This is the quickest method to change the file format. It’s recommended to use a web-based tool only and not download anything, especially if it’s free.

Choose from the best online converter and upload the JPG image that you would like to convert. Most online tools let you choose from a list of formats. You should be able to find JPEG in the options. Once you do, hit the convert button. That’s it. After the conversion is complete, the file will download to your PC automatically.

Final Words

Hopefully, after reading this guide, you now have a clear understanding of JPG vs JPEG files. They are the same and you can use any file format depending on what your device’s Windows supports.

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