How to open a .jpg file
Quick, free ways to open JPG on any system.
A .jpg file is a Joint Photographic Experts Group image. If double-clicking does nothing, your computer simply does not have an app that reads JPG yet. Here is how to fix that on each operating system, using free software wherever possible.
Open a .jpg file step by step
- Confirm the file really is a .jpg. Drop it into the WhatFileType file identifier, which reads its signature without uploading anything.
- On Windows, open it with Photos or Paint.
- On Mac, use Preview or Photos.
- On Linux, try Image Viewer or GIMP.
- Still stuck? Convert the .jpg to PNG, which opens more widely.
Best apps to open .jpg files
Windows
- Photos
- Paint
- any browser
macOS
- Preview
- Photos
- any browser
Linux
- Image Viewer
- GIMP
- any browser
Web
- Every browser
!
Before you open it: Safe. JPG is a still image. Metadata can carry location data, so strip Exif before sharing publicly if privacy matters.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I open my .jpg file?
Almost always because no installed app understands JPG. Install one of the apps above, or convert the file to a format your existing software already reads.
Is JPG the same as JPEG?
Yes. They are the same format. The short .jpg extension is a leftover from older Windows filename limits, .jpeg is the full name.
Does JPG support transparency?
No. If you need a transparent background, use PNG, WebP or AVIF instead.