raster format

What is a .JPG file?

JPG (JPEG) is a lossy raster format that compresses photographs into small files by discarding detail the eye barely notices — the most widely used photo format on the web and in cameras.

Full name
Joint Photographic Experts Group
Developed by
JPEG Group
Released
1992
Extension
.jpg
MIME type
image/jpeg
Transparency
No

How to open a JPG file

JPG opens in every browser, image viewer and editor with no special software.

What JPG files are used for

Photos & web images

Share, post and embed pictures across sites and apps.

Editing & design

Work with the format in editors like Photoshop and GIMP.

Storage & archiving

Keep memories and assets in a widely-readable form.

Strengths & limitations

✔ Strengths✖ Limitations
Small file sizesNo transparency support
Excellent compatibilityLossy — discards some detail

Need more than a conversion?

Remove the background from JPG images, upscale to 4K, or generate new visuals with SharkFoto AI.

Frequently asked questions

JPG (JPEG) is a lossy raster format that compresses photographs into small files by discarding detail the eye barely notices — the most widely used photo format on the web and in cameras.

JPG opens in every browser, image viewer and editor with no special software.

No — JPG uses lossy compression, trading a little detail for much smaller files.

Use SharkFoto's free tools — upload your JPG file and convert it to a more convenient format in seconds. It's free, processed securely and never stored.

No — JPG doesn't store transparency; convert to PNG or WEBP if you need it.