JPG vs JPEG: What’s the Difference?

When dealing with photos, we often come across two common file extensions: JPG and JPEG. This can be confusing since they are very similar and hard to distinguish. However, both formats are widely used on the web, meaning that most images we download are in either JPG or JPEG format.

However, few people can tell the difference between JPG and JPEG. If you don't know what makes these two image formats different, don't worry. In this JPG VS JPEG article, you will discover their distinctions and a guide on how to convert JPEG to JPG. Let's get started!

The Difference Between JPG and JPEG

JPG and JPEG are interchangeable file extensions that refer to the same type of digital image format. JPEG stands for “Joint Photographic Experts Group,” the industry organization that developed the JPEG image format, which is widely used for digital cameras, social media, and the web.

The main difference between JPG and JPEG is that .jpg is a shortened form of the .jpeg extension. JPG is a three-letter file extension, whereas JPEG is a four-letter file extension. As such, JPEG files have a higher color fidelity than JPG files. The reason for shortening JPEG to JPG was due to the requirement for three-letter extensions in earlier versions of Windows. However, there was no such limitation in UNIX, so UNIX and MAC users continued to use the .jpeg extension.

Well-suited for digital photography, the .jpeg and .jpg file formats are raster images. Both types lose quality upon compression, with JPEG and JPG standing for the same ISO subcommittee.

Yes, you can convert JPEG to JPG. The terms "JPEG" and "JPG" actually refer to the same file format. JPEG is the full form of the acronym, which stands for "Joint Photographic Experts Group," while "JPG" is a shorter version. Most image manipulation programs, such as Adobe Photoshop or online converters, allow you to save files with the .jpg extension, essentially converting a JPEG file to JPG. There's usually no difference in the file itself; it's just a matter of naming convention.

Yes, you can convert your JPEG files to JPG. While there are many converters out there that can do this for you, in this section, we'll be using IrfanView. IrfanView is a feature-packed image editor with a myriad of well-organized and easy-to-use settings. It has a simple and intuitive user interface that isn't daunting to newcomers, but hides a powerful and useful program beneath the surface.

To convert JPEG to JPG using IrfanView, follow these steps:

Step 1: Download and install IrfanView, then run it. Now click File and then choose Open to load your JPEG file.

Step 2: Once the image is loaded, click on File again and then choose Save.

Step 3: Next, choose JPG as the output format. You can also rename your file here. Then click Save.

Click to save

Also, if you are a Mac user, we recommend using Preview to convert JPEG to JPG image.

Conclusions

JPG and JPEG are the most common file extensions and compression methods used for storing and saving digital photographs. They're essential for website owners who want to display attractive graphics while providing a great user experience.

However, if you've always wondered about the difference between JPG and JPEG, hopefully, this JPG VS JPEG guide has made it clear that there isn't any. So, whether you prefer the image file extension to be JPG or JPEG, they're one and the same!