JPEG Image — Lossy photo format with adjustable compression and broad compatibility.
Quick facts
What is .jpg
A .jpg file is a JPEG Image — Lossy photo format with adjustable compression and broad compatibility.
In the mime-db registry it maps to image/jpeg, and it is marked as non-compressible. When serving .jpg over HTTP, set the Content-Type header as shown in Developer info below.
Related entities: it maps to image/jpeg — and is delivered over HTTP via the Content-Type header.
How to open .jpg files
Developer info
When served over HTTP, responses should set the following header:
Content-Type: image/jpeg
Common software that reads/writes .jpg:
Relation chain
Related extensions
Related MIME types
Common uses
How to edit .jpg files
How to create .jpg files
Frequently asked questions
Common options include Photoshop, GIMP, Preview. You can also open many of these files with built-in viewers or a browser.
Create a new file in any text editor or the app that owns the format and save it with the .jpg extension.
image/jpeg is the media type identifier used for .jpg files during network transfer (for example in the HTTP Content-Type header).
Sources & standards
Updated 2026-08-18
Explore this reference