HEIC vs JPG: what's the difference?
HEIC is the default photo format on iPhones and iPads, and JPG has been the universal photo format for decades. Both are fine for photos. The real difference is file size versus compatibility.
Quick comparison
| HEIC | JPG | |
|---|---|---|
| File size | About half of JPG at similar quality | Larger |
| Opens everywhere | No. Many Windows apps, websites and forms reject it | Yes |
| Extra features | Can store more than 8-bit color, transparency and several images in one file | Basic photos only |
| Best for | Storing photos on Apple devices | Sharing, uploading, printing |
Why iPhones use HEIC
HEIC uses a newer compression method, so the same photo takes much less storage. On a phone with thousands of pictures, that adds up to many gigabytes saved.
Why JPG still matters
Almost every device, program and website understands JPG. When you upload a photo to a government form, a marketplace or an older website, JPG is the format least likely to cause an error.
Do you lose quality when converting HEIC to JPG?
Converting at high quality (around 90%) produces JPGs that look the same to the eye. The files are larger, not worse. Avoid converting the same photo back and forth many times, as each JPG save can lose a little detail.
How to convert HEIC to JPG
Use the HEIC to JPG converter: drop in your photos, choose JPG and quality, and download. It runs in your browser, so your photos stay on your device. Need PNG instead? It can do that too.