JPEG is a file format for raster graphics. The abbreviation JPEG originates from the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), an international working group focused on the compression of raster graphics. This group collaborates with the International Standardization Organization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). As a result, the JPEG format is a pixel format that allows for significant compression, especially of photos. However, this compression is not lossless, meaning that the image quality decreases as the compression level increases. It works with an 8-bit color depth, which is lower than what is possible with TIFF, for example. These compressed versions are typically used for displaying photos on the internet, as they have a much smaller file size compared to PNG. Additionally, JPEG images are used in PDF documents optimized for on-screen display. The compression mechanisms for MPEG4 files operate similarly.
JPEG also exists in a lossless version with a 16-bit color depth.