Open JPEG files

  • Full name
    JPEG Bitmap Image Format
  • Developer
    Joint Photographic Experts Group
  • Popularity
Have you encountered a problem with a JPEG file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a JPEG file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your JPEG file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is JPEG file?

A JPEG file contains bitmap image data in JPEG format. This format is produced by most digital cameras and is the most widely used format for pictures on the Internet.

More info

JPEG files are much smaller than comparable image formats. This is achieved through the use of lossy compression. As the compression rate increases, these losses become visible and are noticeable by image noise and blocks in the image. With low compression, also referred to as high quality, these losses are barely noticeable despite the significantly smaller file size.

JPEG files can not contain transparency information. They are also not suitable for further image processing, since the losses of image information when repeatedly storing an image add up. This means that even when using a quality of 100% and thus the least compression, the noise in the image increases with each saving.

JPEG is not suitable for line art and rasterized images such as newspaper images. Here the losses due to the compression are immediately obvious.

Jpeg files can also contain so-called metadata. These are usually stored by digital cameras. You can include a lot of information about the picture. From the camera's data, exposure time and aperture, to the GPS location information of the location where the photo was taken.

JPEG data is also included in files ending in jpg, jif, jfif and jpe. If the extension of the file is not recognized directly, it can also be changed to one of the others.

Every current operating system today contains an image viewer that can display JPEG files. There is also a large number of free or commercial programs.

Programs which can open a JPEG file

How to open file with JPEG extension?

In order to open a file with JPEG extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening JPEG file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with JPEG files, follow the instructions below.
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Install Apple Preview or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening JPEG files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support JPEG files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of JPEG files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.


Set Apple Preview as the default program for opening JPEG files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate JPEG files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the Apple Preview applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where Apple Preview has been installed.

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Check the section that lists most common problems with JPEG files

Sometimes problems with opening JPEG files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

  • File data is corrupted
  • JPEG files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
  • Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open JPEG files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • JPEG file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)