HEIC vs JPG: Which Saves More Space (and When to Convert)

Since iOS 11, every photo your iPhone takes is stored as HEIC by default. Apple picked it because it saves storage, but when you send that photo to a Windows PC, an Android phone, or upload it to a website, HEIC often refuses to open. This article answers the question people search most: HEIC vs JPG, which one actually saves space, and when the smaller file isn't worth the trouble.

Which format saves more space: HEIC or JPG?

HEIC. For the same perceived quality, HEIC files are typically 40–50% smaller than JPG because HEIC uses the HEVC codec, which is about twice as efficient as the older JPEG standard. A 3 MB JPG photo is usually around 1.5–1.8 MB as HEIC at equal quality.

Why is HEIC smaller than JPG?

JPG dates back to 1992 and compresses images one 8×8 block at a time with Discrete Cosine Transform. HEIC is built on HEVC (H.265) video technology from 2013: it predicts pixel patterns across larger areas, uses better entropy coding, and stores 10-bit color data. The result is roughly half the bytes for the same visual quality, plus HEIC can keep bursts, depth maps, and lossless edits inside one container.

When should you convert HEIC to JPG?

• Sending photos to Windows 10/11 users without the HEVC extension installed
• Uploading to websites, forms, email attachments, or print shops that only accept JPG
• Opening photos in older apps (some versions of Photoshop, Office, or lightweight viewers)
• Sharing to older Android devices (roughly version 9 and below) where HEIC support is patchy
• When you want maximum compatibility and don't mind the extra megabytes

HEIC vs JPG vs WebP vs AVIF: how do the sizes compare?

Numbers are approximate for a typical 12-megapixel iPhone photo at default quality; real sizes vary with image content and encoder settings.

Does converting HEIC to JPG lose quality?

Slightly, if you re-encode at a low quality setting, both formats are lossy. Converting at 90–100% quality produces a JPG that is visually indistinguishable from the original HEIC for everyday use; the file just grows back to JPG size. The bigger win is compatibility, not quality.

How do I convert HEIC to JPG without uploading my photos?

1. Open a converter that runs entirely in your browser, such as FORMATTO's HEIC to JPG tool
2. Drop or select your .HEIC files, they never leave your device
3. Pick a quality level (90% is a good default) and convert
4. Download the JPGs; close the tab and the copies in memory are gone

Bottom line: which should you keep?

Keep HEIC on your iPhone, it is saving you gigabytes. Convert to JPG at the moment you share, email, or print, because that is where compatibility beats size. And if you are choosing a format for a website instead of an iPhone, look at WebP or AVIF first. Whatever you convert, do it on-device: your photos should not need a trip through someone else's server just to change extension.