How To Convert jpeg To jpg On Mac (Explained!)

While working on a Mac, you may have noticed two file formats: JPG and JPEG. Since certain programs or applications don’t accept JPEG files, you may need to convert to JPG. 

To convert a JPEG file to a JPG file, use an online converter or open it in a photo editor application and re-save it under a different extension name. JPEG and JPG are essentially the same types of files with a different extension name, but some programs prefer one format over the other.

Converting file types can sometimes be confusing. Read on to learn about the different ways to convert your file extension name. 

Mac and JPEG

Although JPEG and JPG are the same types of files, Macs prefer the image file type to be JPEG. When saving an image file on a Mac, it will likely save as a JPEG without any option for JPG. Because Mac prefers the JPEG file, you can’t rename the extension as a JPG easily in Finder. 

While Mac favors JPEG, you can still save a JPG formatted file on your computer. Most devices, websites, and programs are capable of opening both JPG and JPEG file extensions, so you don’t generally have to worry about converting from JPEG to JPG.

Although, some outdated programs may give you trouble with the extra character in the extension name. If you use these programs or applications, you may need to convert a few files.

How to Convert JPEG to JPG

Online Converter

To convert a file to a JPG, use an online file converter. Most online converters recognize JPEG and JPG as the same file type and won’t be able to make the switch.

However, some will recognize the difference and convert the file types. Cloud Convert will allow you to convert your JPEGs to JPGs easily and quickly. All you need to do is upload a picture to the site, click convert, and redownload the image.

Another recommended file converter is IrfanView. Irfanview is a downloadable file converter that will allow JPEG to JPG conversions. 

Re-save it in a Photo Editor

Some photo editors may have an option for either JPEG or JPG, but most will save as one or the other. Sometimes it even depends on the device on which you open the editor. Often an editor will have a list of file types for you to save the image as.

Some lists may be limited in file type, but if you press and hold the “option” key while clicking on the drop-down list, it will show additional file types. Holding the option key reveals a previous menu version with more options.

Another option is to export rather than save your image file. Sometimes exporting will give a JPG file option, but it may decrease image quality. Check the export options and the additional save options in the “save as” list. 

How to Convert JPG to JPEG

While converting from JPEG to JPG for older programs, you may occasionally need to convert and older JPG file to JPEG.

To convert a file from JPG to JPEG, you can use either method above. Since Mac favors JPEG file types, it will be easier to convert the other way, but you may still have to jump through some loops to convert your file into the desired extension format. 

Save yourself some trouble and save the file as a JPEG initially. That way you won’t need to convert any file types. Verify the file formats that the programs you’re using are compatible with. Keep these file types in mind when saving new images and documents.

What’s the difference between JPEG and JPG?

The main difference between the JPEG and JPG files is the number of characters in the extension name. In older versions of Windows, extensions were only allowed to be three characters long. The newer JPEG format isn’t compatible.

Nowadays, most devices will recognize any format and accept either JPEG or JPG, so users don’t notice the difference. The file type is essentially the same. They are built on the same code, but the extension name is different, creating some understandable confusion. 

Both JPEG and JPG are lossy compression files. With this type of file compression, you sacrifice quality for smaller file size. They are both raster graphics. Raster graphics are images built on a single layer out of small, colored rectangles called pixels. JPEG and JPG work the same way.

This differs from a multi-layered image like a PSD, a photoshop file that can be altered and split into layers. While photos sent from an Apple device typically send in a bit of a different format than photos sent from a Microsoft device, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a JPG or JPEG.

Although they are the same file type, sometimes, conversion of file format types is needed for older applications or programs. Since older programs only read files with three-letter file extensions, the file needs converting.

There is one more aspect to JPEG files that may cause trouble for some platforms or devices. While they are both the same type of file, JPEG offers another format that retains more quality called JPEG2000. This shouldn’t cause any issues unless the JPEG2000 file format is used.

JPEG2000

A JPEG2000 is a higher-quality image that goes through a sophisticated saving process. This process was designed to eliminate quality loss as the file is compressed. It was developed after the JPG and JPEG file formats on a different code. Because the code is different, it is less compatible with applications and websites.

It requires more memory space to view and process the photos. Because of this, the JPEG2000 didn’t have much take-off success. Older computers have less RAM, so supporting larger photo files puts a strain on the computer. 

Today, computers have much more running memory, so they are more capable of viewing larger photos. That said, JPEG2000 isn’t widely supported or accepted by most programs, so it isn’t very practical. For example, while you can build a JPEG2000 into a website, some internet users may not be able to view the higher-quality photo.