What Is the File Extension JPEG?

The JPEG file extension is an image file that has been saved or compressed to improve the file size. This enables the user to display or save the picture when memory space is limited such as the web. For this reason, JPEG has become the default picture extension in many programs.

Programs

JPEGs are created using practically any photo-editing product such as Photoshop, Correl Draw and Microsoft Paint. In addition, most digital cameras and scanners save images in JPEG formats.

Compression

JPEG files were designed for users to compress large images; however, the compression is considered a lousy compression. This means that when you compress your image, the quality of the image is irretrievable.

Quality

The quality of the JPEG file depends on the compression method used. Programs usually have a range for the quality compression of JPEGs. Compressing an image at 100 percent will maintain most of the original image's quality.

Uses

Because of the conservation of memory in JPEGs, they are used in situations where images must be small. This makes them perfect for displaying pictures on the web or sharing pictures with friends through email or personal electronic devices.

Alternative Files

While JPEG is probably the most widely used image extension due to the wide-spread Internet use, similar extensions will preserve your quality better. For example, TIFF and PNG files do not lose quality when they are compressed. Camera RAW does not compress your files at all; however, these files may result in larger file sizes.

References

• JPEG Compression
• A few scanning tips