JPG vs. JPEG Image Formats – What Are They?

JPG and JPEG are the most common type of file formats used to upload images on WordPress. They play an essential role when the files are being uploaded because of the image quality.

Both of the extensions are interchangeable, and technically, they’re the same, but at the time, there is a minor difference between JPEG and JPG.

What Is A JPEG Image?

JPEG is the abbreviation for Joint Photographic Experts Group; it’s a file extension used by many photo editing software and most digital cameras. You will often “.jpeg” when you’re saving an image file, for example, “euro-trip.jpeg.”

JPEG was first introduced in 1992, and as of 2005, there are several billion image files produced every day using the format.

JPEG images are often high-quality, colorful pictures because it supports up to 16,777,216 colors and users can save any kind of images. The image file format uses lossy compression, which helps eliminate useless data from the image, which makes the overall image smaller, and it loads faster on the internet.

Now you’re probably thinking compressing the file might reduce the quality; however, the effect is minimal and barely noticeable to the average visitor.

What Is A JPG Image?

JPG is an abbreviation for Joint Photographic Experts Group, and the image file format exists because of the older Windows versions. The extension was required to save image files; therefore, they shortened JPEG to JPG.

However, now most operating systems support longer extensions. Hence, using JPEG isn’t much of an issue anymore. Now, you might be thinking if JPEG is fine, then why does JPG still exist? That’s because JPG is a necessary extension if your operating system is extremely outdated and doesn’t accept extensions longer than three characters.

JPG and JPEG – The Similarities

In this part, I’ll be answering the most asked question: “Is JPG the same as JPEG?”

JPG and JPEG might seem very similar to you by now, with one basic technicality. Here are some similarities between the two image file extensions.

Both Are An Extension For Raster Images

Typically, a computer saves images as raster or vector; the JPEG and JPG images save as raster images. When you look closely at a JPEG or JPG image, you’ll notice that a raster image is a grid of small pixels that looks like cubes. The images are saved as a collection of tiny cubes (or pixels) that are put together to form the image. In other terms, the collection of cubes is called a bitmap.

Here are some characteristics of a raster image:

• The file extensions are best used for photographs, graphic images, scanned images, etc.
• The shapes and lines are undefined gradients of shades and hues.
• The quality might suffer if the images are blown up or increased in size.
• The resolution is measured in dots per inch (dpi) and displayed as such.
• The image quality is better if the dpi is high.
• Other raster image formats include JPEG, JPG, BMP, TIFF, PCX files.
• Raster images are commonly found all over the internet.

Both Are Used For Same Image Types

JPEG and JPG image file formats are best used for photography. The digital photographs have detailed color gradations, and they save faster as JPEG or JPG. Visitors and online users enjoy great photography.

Both Lose Some Quality During Compression

Both extensions use a lossy compression, which decreases the image quality when reducing the image size. The smaller size also means the images load faster on the websites. The reduced sizes make image viewing easy on the web.

What Is The Difference Between JPEG And JPG?

By the looks of it, JPEG and JPG look and sound familiar, right? They both have the same properties because, essentially, JPG is just a shorter abbreviation for JPG.

While that’s true, the two image file formats still have one minor difference. The JPG file format can run on older Windows; however, JPEG cannot. The older versions of Windows had a three-character limit on file extensions, which is why JPEG was shortened to JPG.

Now, we see JPEG being used more than JPG on various operating systems like the latest Windows, MAC, Linux, etc.

JPG vs. JPEG – Which One Should I Use?

Now, the question is, if both extensions can co-exist on a single computer, then which one should you use?

By now, it’s pretty clear that both extensions are one and the same with a minor difference, so the simple answer is there is no comparison between the two.

Both extensions have the same characteristics and functionality, so the decision to choose one isn’t that difficult. Even if you save one file in JPG and JPEG, there won’t be any difference in the image.

Although you don’t need to pick a favorite, I’d say using JPEG is better because JPG was just a temporary extension for older Windows. Systems now support JPEG extension, so using JPG isn’t as necessary anymore.

Converting A JPG File To JPEG

It really doesn’t matter which file extension you use to save your images; however, if you must convert your JPG file to a JPEG file, then here are some methods to do so.

An Online Tool

The easiest method available to everyone using the internet is an online conversion tool. There are numerous free online tools that you can use to convert a .jpg image into a .jpeg image. The free option is available to people who don’t own editing software (because those aren’t cheap).

If you simply go on Google and search for “convert jpg to jpeg online for free,” the search engine will list down numerous options you can pick from.

The ideal choice would be to pick one of the first three ones because those will have a clean interface and easy handling.

Most converters work the same way, you upload your .jpg image file, choose the file format you want to convert it to, and then press convert.

The image will start converting, and you’ll have your new image file format in no time.

Use Paint

If you use Windows, then chances are your PC comes with a built-in program known as Paint. The option is amazing if you can’t find an online tool (which is hard to believe) and don’t have an editing software that allows you to save files in any format.

• To start with the conversion, press the start button to enter your menu and type “Paint.”
• When you see “Paint,” press enter to start the program.
• Once the program starts, locate the “File” option and click “Open.”
• Another dialog box will open, locate your image (where you saved it), and press enter.
• Once the image is open, go back to the “File” menu and click “Save As.” Enter a name, and click on the “Save as type” menu.
• The dropdown menu will give you multiple options, choose JPEG, press enter, and your image has now converted into a .jpeg file from .jpg.

And all done.

Grab A Photo Editing Software

If you own an editing software like Adobe Photoshop, then you’re already familiar with the tool and how it works.

I would suggest using your existing software to change your file format instead of searching for an online tool or opening “Paint.”

Photoshop already saves JPEG files as JPG; however, if you absolutely need a JPEG file, then you can use the program to do so quite easily.

• Open the editing program.
• Go to the “File” menu to locate “Open” and open the desired file.
• Once the file is open, you can either edit or just go back to the “File” menu to locate “Save As.”
• Enter a name, and click on the “Save as type” menu.
• The dropdown menu will give you multiple options, choose JPEG, press enter, and your image has now converted into a .jpeg file from .jpg.

And all done.

Converting A JPEG File To JPG

Now, the chances that you need this information are slim; however, if you’re someone who has a PC that still runs the older versions of Windows, then this is for you.

Since the file formats are similar, the method of converting a .jpeg file into a .jpg file is also quite similar.

You’ll notice that if you try to use “Paint” to convert the file extension, you can’t do that because the software group JPEG and JPG into one. The default setting on that is JPEG.

Like Paint, software like Photoshop works the same way; they save the image as JPG by default. However, if you absolutely need a JPG file, then you can find and use an online converter tool to help you. Most online converter tools allow you to save the file in whichever file three-character extension you want.

All the methods I’ve talked about allow you to convert the file formats of multiple images.

In Conclusion

Images hold great significance when it comes to building a website using WordPress. They’re visual aid that catches the visitor’s attention and motivates them to stay. More often than not, users love looking at images more than they love reading content.

While there is a lot of confusion between JPG vs. JPEG, they’re both essentially the same. They have the same job, to save an image in a bitmap form, and they have the same characteristics. So, it doesn’t matter which file format you choose to upload on your WordPress website. At the end of the day, it’s just about the image you use.