JFIF vs JPG: what's the difference?
Short answer: They are the same image format. JFIF is only a different file extension, so converting to .jpg loses nothing.
| JFIF | JPG | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | JPEG File Interchange Format | JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) |
| File extensions | .jfif | .jpg, .jpeg, .jpe |
| MIME type | image/jpeg | image/jpeg |
| Introduced | 1992 | 1992 |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossy |
| Transparency | No | No |
| Animation | No | No |
| Typical file size | Small | Small |
| Best for | nothing in particular: it is a JPEG saved with an unusual extension | photographs, social media uploads and email attachments |
| Compatibility | Opens in browsers, but many apps and upload forms reject the .jfif extension | Universal: every browser, phone, camera and image editor |
File size
Identical: the image data is the same.
Image quality
Identical. Renaming or converting JFIF to JPG doesn't change the pixels.
Transparency and animation
JFIF: transparency no, animation no. JPG: transparency no, animation no.
Compatibility
JFIF: Opens in browsers, but many apps and upload forms reject the .jfif extension.
JPG: Universal: every browser, phone, camera and image editor.
When to use JFIF
- Nothing in particular; it's an extension Windows sometimes assigns
When to use JPG
- Everything, since .jpg is what apps and websites expect
Convert between JFIF and JPG
Frequently asked questions
Is JFIF better than JPG?
They are the same image format. JFIF is only a different file extension, so converting to .jpg loses nothing.
Which is smaller, JFIF or JPG?
Identical: the image data is the same.
Which has better quality, JFIF or JPG?
Identical. Renaming or converting JFIF to JPG doesn't change the pixels.
How do I convert JFIF to JPG?
Open the free JFIF to JPG converter, add your files and download the results. It runs in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.