HEIC vs JPG: what's the difference?
Short answer: HEIC saves space on your iPhone; JPG works everywhere else. Keep HEIC on the phone and convert to JPG when sharing.
| HEIC | JPG | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | High Efficiency Image Container (HEIF) | JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) |
| File extensions | .heic, .heif | .jpg, .jpeg, .jpe |
| MIME type | image/heic | image/jpeg |
| Introduced | 2015 | 1992 |
| Compression | Lossy (HEVC) | Lossy |
| Transparency | Yes | No |
| Animation | Yes (sequences) | No |
| Typical file size | Very small | Small |
| Best for | storing photos on iPhone and iPad efficiently | photographs, social media uploads and email attachments |
| Compatibility | Apple devices; poor support on Windows, Android, the web and upload forms | Universal: every browser, phone, camera and image editor |
File size
HEIC files are roughly half the size of JPG at similar quality.
Image quality
HEIC compresses better and supports 10-bit colour and HDR. In everyday viewing the difference is small.
Transparency and animation
HEIC: transparency yes, animation yes (sequences). JPG: transparency no, animation no.
Compatibility
HEIC: Apple devices; poor support on Windows, Android, the web and upload forms.
JPG: Universal: every browser, phone, camera and image editor.
When to use HEIC
- Storing photos on iPhone, iPad and Mac
- Live Photos and HDR images
- Saving iCloud storage
When to use JPG
- Sending photos to Windows and Android users
- Uploading to websites and forms
- Printing and editing in older apps
Convert between HEIC and JPG
Frequently asked questions
Is HEIC better than JPG?
HEIC saves space on your iPhone; JPG works everywhere else. Keep HEIC on the phone and convert to JPG when sharing.
Which is smaller, HEIC or JPG?
HEIC files are roughly half the size of JPG at similar quality.
Which has better quality, HEIC or JPG?
HEIC compresses better and supports 10-bit colour and HDR. In everyday viewing the difference is small.
How do I convert HEIC to JPG?
Open the free HEIC to JPG converter, add your files and download the results. It runs in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.