What is the Difference Between JPEG and JPG?

JPG and JPEG are two equivalent file extensions that both refer to the same digital image format, established by the Joint Photographic Experts Group. The only difference between the two is the number of characters used in the file extension.

Both JPEG and JPG are:

• Raster images, not vector images.
• Best used for digital photography, due to their extensive color gradations that appear seamless when saved as raster images.
• Lossy compression formats, meaning they lose some quality when saved.

The JPEG format was initially released in 1992 as a bitmap compression format. It is commonly used for lossy compression, with compression ratios ranging from 10:1 to 20:1, and is most often used by digital cameras and photo-sharing devices. The only reason JPG exists is that it was shortened to fit the three-letter extension requirement for file names in earlier systems. However, there are no differences in their functionality or content.

Comparative Table: JPEG vs JPG

JPEG and JPG are interchangeable file extensions representing the same image format, and their functionality and compatibility are identical. The difference between the two lies solely in their naming, with JPG being used when file systems limited extensions to three characters. Both JPEG and JPG are raster images, meaning they are bitmaps of images, and are not vector images. They are used for digital photography and are suitable for compressing images while maintaining most of their quality. Here is a summary of their similarities and differences:

In summary, there is no significant difference between JPEG and JPG, as they represent the same image format and serve the same purpose. The distinction between the two is merely in the number of characters in their file extensions.