Format at a glance
- Full name
- JPEG XL Image Coding System
- File extensions
- .jxl
- MIME types
- image/jxl
- Category
- Images
- Compression
- Lossless and lossy
- Transparency
- Yes
- Animation
- Yes
- Properties
- Alpha channel, Animation, Color profiles
Suitable tools
What is this format?
JPEG XL is standardized as ISO/IEC 18181 and commonly uses the .jxl extension. It supports lossless and lossy coding, alpha transparency, animation, high bit depths and wide color gamuts.
The format also defines tools for efficient recompression of some existing JPEG images, but software must explicitly implement JPEG XL to read the result.
What is it used for?
- High-quality photographic archives
- Scientific and professional images with high bit depth
- Lossless images that still need efficient compression
- Workflows using software built with libjxl
Which programs can open it?
- The cjxl and djxl reference tools
- ImageMagick builds compiled with JPEG XL support
- Graphics applications that explicitly include libjxl
- LocalFileLab through its bundled @jsquash/jxl decoder and encoder
Support across devices and browsers
Use a JPEG XL-aware application or command-line decoder; native support is not universal.
Application support varies; do not assume Preview support on every version.
libjxl tools and compatible image applications are the most dependable option.
System gallery support varies and should not be assumed.
Support depends on OS and application version.
JPEG XL is not a baseline format across current major browsers; direct display is browser-dependent.
Advantages
- Supports both lossless and high-quality lossy coding
- Supports alpha, animation, HDR and wide-gamut color
- Designed for progressive decoding and modern photographic workflows
Disadvantages
- Browser and desktop support is uneven
- Encoding can be computationally demanding
- Sharing often requires conversion to JPEG, PNG, WebP or AVIF
Comparison with alternatives
JPEG XL offers modern features and lossless modes; JPEG has far wider legacy support.
Both can encode modern high-quality images, but they use different coding systems and have different support profiles.
JPEG XL can handle lossless graphics and photos; PNG remains simpler and more universally supported.
LocalFileLab support
Decoded locally with @jsquash/jxl rather than relying on native browser display.
Encoded locally through the bundled JPEG XL encoder.
Can be decoded, resized and re-encoded; large images can require substantial memory.
LocalFileLab converts decoded pixels to a browser-readable preview.
The current pixel conversion path does not guarantee preservation of all JXL boxes or metadata.
Related formats
Frequently asked questions
Why does my browser not display JPEG XL?
JPEG XL is not enabled as a standard image format in every major browser, even when other applications on the system support it.
Can JPEG XL be lossless?
Yes. JPEG XL supports mathematically lossless image coding as well as lossy modes.
Is JPEG XL the same as JPEG?
No. JPEG XL is a newer and technically different format; ordinary JPEG decoders cannot open .jxl files.