Image formats
HEIC vs JPEG: Quality, File Size, and Compatibility
Compare HEIC and JPEG for storage, editing, sharing, uploads, and long-term compatibility.
HEICJPEG
The formats at a glance
HEIC is a filename extension commonly used for images stored in the High Efficiency Image File Format. Apple devices usually compress these images with HEVC to reduce storage while maintaining strong visual quality. Apple’s HEIF compatibility guide (opens in a new tab)
JPEG is older and less storage-efficient, but its exceptionally broad support makes it a dependable sharing and publishing format.
| Decision factor | HEIC | JPEG |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Efficient capture and original storage | Sharing, uploads, printing, and delivery |
| Compression | Modern HEVC-based compression is common | Lossy photo compression |
| Typical file size | Smaller at similar visual quality | Larger than HEIC, smaller than PNG |
| Compatibility | Varies by app and platform | Nearly universal |
| Extra image data | Can store sequences and auxiliary data | Usually one flattened image |
When to keep HEIC
- You use current Apple devices and apps that understand HEIF.
- You want an efficient original archive.
- You may need capture metadata, edits, depth data, or related image items later.
When to create a JPEG copy
- A website, application form, or older program rejects HEIC.
- You need to email or share the photo with an unknown recipient.
- A printer, editor, or content-management system expects JPEG.
- A practical file size matters more than lossless output.
Sources and further reading
We use primary technical documentation for the claims in this guide.
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