The main JPEG vs. PDF difference is that the former focuses on reducing the file size for a single image, while the latter acts as a container for a full document that may contain text, images, fillable fields, etc. This core distinction leads to other contrasts in file structure and size, image quality, text selectability, multi-page support, and editing and sharing.
In this guide, we will cover all the key differences between these formats, as well as their pros and cons, so you can easily decide which one is right for your needs.
Key Takeaways
- A JPEG is an image format that uses lossy compression, which reduces the file size and, therefore, makes it easier to share and store.
- A PDF file presents documents consistently across devices, operating systems, and software, and can be static or interactive.
- JPEGs and PDFs differ in terms of file structure, image quality, file size, text selectability, multi-page support, and simplicity of editing and sharing.
- Converting to PDF is useful when sharing multiple images simultaneously, printing, making professional or official submissions, and filling out forms.
- Sharing photos quickly online, extracting a single page or part of a document, editing in image software, and storing and archiving are easier after a PDF-to-JPEG conversion.
What Is a JPEG File?
A JPEG is an image format that has been compressed by the discrete cosine transform (DCT) technique. Its name stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group, the team that developed it and continues to meet four times a year to discuss how images are compressed, encoded, and decoded.
JPEG images include the following file name extensions:
- .jpg
- .jpeg
- .jpe
- .jif
- .jfif
- .jfi
They are usually used for:
- Photographs
- Web images
- Scanned images and documents
- Social media materials
This image format uses lossy compression, which removes details and data from the background to make the file much smaller in size, and therefore, easier to store and share. The more aggressive the compression, the more data gets discarded; so, there is always a trade-off.
Generally, you should choose a lower compression for printing or professional use, a balanced compression for websites and social media platforms, and a high compression for previews, references, thumbnails, or large image libraries.
What Is a PDF File?
A PDF is a file format developed in the 1990s by Adobe to present documents consistently across different devices, operating systems, and software. Now, it is an open standard maintained by the ISO.
It publishes PDF 1.7 as ISO 32000 and develops purpose-specific subsets in parallel:
- PDF/A (ISO 19005)
- PDF/X (ISO 15930)
- PDF/UA (ISO 14289)
- PDF/E (ISO 24517)
A PDF can be static or interactive, usually containing text, images, objects, and fillable fields. Unlike a JPEG, this file format can span multiple pages and is widely used for contracts, proposals, invoices, and academic papers.
JPEG vs. PDF: 6 Key Differences Explained
Here’s a table of the key JPEG vs. PDF differences:
JPEG | ||
|---|---|---|
File structure | Simple linear structure to store a single image | Complex structure consisting of many objects to display an entire document |
Image quality | Depends on the level of lossy compression applied | Preserves the original image’s quality |
File size | Small | Depends on what’s included, but generally larger than JPEG |
Text selectability | Not selectable, searchable, or editable | Can be selected, searched, copied, and indexed |
Multi-page support | Doesn’t support multiple pages | Supports multiple pages |
Editing | Easy editing as long as you have the right software, but the quality can be reduced every time you re-save a file as JPEG | Easy editing with a reliable PDF editor like PDF.net |
Sharing | Quick and easy through email, websites, or cloud platforms | Many ways to share, such as via email, Zoom, Google Meet, websites, and social media platforms |
Now, let’s take a closer look at how the two differ with a detailed JPEG vs. PDF comparison:
#1. File Structure
The key JPEG vs. PDF difference regarding file structure is due to its fundamental distinction in functionality. A JPEG file focuses on efficiently storing a single image, while a PDF file features complex layouts, multiple pages, and mixed content in a consistent way.
Besides that, the former has a simple, linear structure made up of a sequence of segments identified by markers. The core of a JPEG is the image data, and it is read without the concept of pages or reusable components.
On the other hand, the latter uses a complex structure composed of many independent objects, such as pages, fonts, images, and content streams. These are indexed through a cross-reference table, allowing access to any part of the file.
Every PDF contains tags that identify headings, paragraphs, lists, tables, and figures, and define the correct reading order, which is essential for accessibility. It also has metadata, which helps with search, indexing, archiving, and organizing PDFs.
#2. Image Quality
JPEG files always apply lossy compression, which can lead to artifacts like blockiness, blur, and color banding because image data is permanently discarded. As a result, every time you re-save a JPEG, its quality is reduced.
PDF quality works differently because this format is a container. It can include lossless images, lightly or heavily compressed JPEGs, or vector graphics that don’t lose quality when scaled or printed. Unless you compress the PDF itself, it simply preserves and displays images exactly as they were created and embedded.
#3. File Size
Regarding JPEG vs. PDF file size, the former is smaller because it uses lossy compression, while the latter is larger because it preserves various elements within a document, such as text, fonts, images, etc. While PDFs can be compressed, they generally prioritize consistency and readability over taking up less space.
#4. Text Selectability
Text in a JPEG is not selectable, searchable, or editable because it is embedded into the image pixels. Even if the text is crisp, computers cannot recognize it unless optical character recognition (OCR) is applied.
In contrast, a PDF preserves text as characters that can be selected, searched, copied, and indexed, making it far more practical for both personal and professional use. For example, you can quickly search a contract for a certain clause and highlight it for future reference.
#5. Multi-Page Support
A JPEG file can only store one page at a time, so organizing, viewing, and sharing is more difficult. If you want to go through content continuously, you will have to find ways to merge multiple files.
This isn’t the case with a PDF, which can support multiple pages and keep them all together in a single file. Most PDF readers will provide you with different viewing modes, such as scrolling, page-by-page viewing, or thumbnails, so you can customize your experience.
#6. Editing and Sharing
You can edit a JPEG by installing software and saving your changes as a new image. In general, editing is not difficult at all; the downside is that every time you save the file again as a JPEG, you apply lossy compression, and the quality of your image can be reduced.
PDF editing is also easy, as long as you have a PDF editor that offers a wide range of tools (e.g., rearranging pages, adding highlights, making annotations, etc.) and an intuitive interface.
Additionally, sharing a JPEG file is straightforward because it is small in size, so you can send it quickly by email or upload it to websites and cloud platforms without long loading times. Meanwhile, a PDF file’s strength isn’t in speed, but you can choose from many channels for sharing.
It is possible to send a PDF over email, share it on Zoom or Google Meet, and embed it in a website. You can also create a link to your PDF and post that on Facebook, Instagram, and any other platforms that don’t support direct uploads.
JPEG vs. PDF: Pros and Cons
To determine which format suits your needs—JPEG or PDF—let’s take a look at their pros and cons.
JPEG Pros & Cons
Here are the pros and cons of JPEG files:
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PDF Pros & Cons
Here are the pros and cons of PDF files:
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When Should You Convert JPEG to PDF?
You should convert from JPEG to PDF when:
- Sharing multiple images at once. You can combine several JPEGs into one PDF, so it is easier to send or store. This also lets you or your reader navigate the images conveniently, especially on phones or tablets.
- Printing. When it comes to JPEG vs. PDF for printing, PDFs have the advantage, as JPEGs may lose quality when resized or printed, and colors can shift due to compression.
- Making professional or official submissions. Many reports, forms, and applications require PDFs rather than image files because it is possible to verify their integrity and make sure they haven’t been tampered with via digital signatures, cryptographic hashes, etc.
- Filling out forms. Unlike JPEGs, which require manual editing or printing and scanning, PDFs support interactive form fields. These allow you to enter text, check boxes, or select dropdown options directly in the documents.
When Should You Convert PDF to JPEG?
You should convert from PDF to JPEG when:
- Sharing photos online. JPEGs are smaller and easier to send via email or social media compared to PDFs. PDFs, while preserving layout, are larger and less convenient when it comes to JPEG vs. PDF for photo sharing.
- Extracting individual pages as images. Sometimes you only need a single page or part of a PDF as an image, so converting to a JPEG makes sense. Plus, JPEGs are more flexible for cropping, resizing, or embedding in other content, such as slides.
- Editing in image software. While you may be able to insert images, change their sizes and placements on a PDF page, or add captions to them, you won’t be able to adjust them in the same way as a JPEG in software like Photoshop.
- Storing and archiving. Unlike standalone JPEGs, a single PDF prevents images from getting scattered or accidentally modified. This makes retrieval easier down the road while ensuring the images retain their resolutions.
Change Between PDF and JPEG Easily With PDF.net
Our online editor has PDF-to-JPEG and JPEG-to-PDF tools that let you perform conversions in just a few clicks. Everything works right on your browser, so you won’t have to go through the hassle of installing separate software.
After converting your files, you can also use other tools, including our new AI ones—Chat PDF, Summarize PDF, and Translate PDF—to process and polish your content.
Final Thoughts
To decide between JPEG vs. PDF, you must think about your specific needs.
The former is ideal for sharing and editing individual images, thanks to their small file sizes; the latter is better for printing, archiving, professional submissions, and combining multiple images for continuous viewing and organizing. Rather than forcing one format to do a job it was not designed for, understanding their differences helps you choose the right option and fully leverage each format’s strengths.
JPEG vs. PDF FAQs
#1. Does converting JPEG to PDF reduce quality?
Converting JPEG to PDF does not reduce quality, as long as the PDF is created without additional compression. The JPEG’s resolution is preserved, and the PDF simply acts as a container to store, share, and organize the image.
#2. Can PDFs be edited like images?
PDFs can’t be edited like images. While you may be able to add borders and captions to them using a PDF editor, it is not possible to directly adjust details like colors, contrast, brightness, etc., the way you can in software like Photoshop.
#3. Which format is better for printing?
The PDF format is better for printing because it preserves the content’s resolution and can include multiple pages in order. JPEG is not ideal for this option because it uses lossy compression, which reduces quality.