How to Convert an Image to JPG Format

Many websites have strict rules that limit the size and type of image format you’re allowed to upload. With JPG being the go-to file format of the internet, we’re going to take a look at how you can convert your images into JPG format.

What Is a JPG File?

JPG (or JPEG), is a popular file format used for images and graphics—especially on the internet. It was created by the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) and uses a compression algorithm that reduces sections of an image into blocks of pixels. It’s able to compress up to a ratio of 10:1 without any noticeable degradation, depending on your settings. This alone is one of the main reasons why JPG has become the de facto standard of images on the internet.

However, all that compression doesn’t come without a loss. JPGs are considered a “lossy” file format, meaning that during the compression procedure, redundant blocks are permanently deleted. The more you compress a file, the more data you lose and subsequently the worse your final image is going to look after multiple iterations through the algorithm.

Still, when used properly, JPG delivers decent-looking images with small file sizes. Whether you’re sending one in an email, posting a meme on Reddit, or uploading your vacation pictures to Facebook, because of its ability to compress images at such a high rate, your final file is a fraction of its original size.

Converting an Image to JPG in Windows

Most image-editing programs allow you to convert an image to JPG. Unfortunately, the Photos app built into Windows 10 isn’t one of them. You can do it with Paint (or Paint 3D), or you can download a third-party image app.

Our favorite app for quick image work is IrfanView. It’s free, can open almost any format out there, has some good basic editing tools, and it’s very fast. We’ll be using it in our example here, but the process is pretty much the same in most apps.

Start by opening the image you want to convert in whatever app you’re using. All we’re going to be doing is saving the app as another file type, so you should be able to follow along no matter what app you have.