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Image Format

JPEG XL

JPEG XL Image Format

JPEG XL (JXL) is the most ambitious next-generation image format — designed to eventually replace both JPEG and PNG. It achieves better compression than WebP and AVIF, supports lossless recompression of existing JPEG files (with zero quality loss, just smaller files), and has features far beyond any existing format. The catch: browser support is limited and its future is uncertain after Chrome dropped JXL support in 2022 (then the decision was reversed).

What is JPEG XL?

JPEG XL was developed by the JPEG Committee (Joint Photographic Experts Group) and standardized as ISO/IEC 18181 in 2022. The format is a collaboration between two codecs: Pik (from Google) and FLIF (Free Lossless Image Format, from the open-source community). Key technical features: Lossy compression: significantly better than JPEG at equivalent quality (60% smaller for photos). Lossless compression: 15-20% better than PNG; better than lossless WebP. JPEG recompression: existing JPEG files can be transcoded to JXL with zero quality loss but 20-22% smaller file size. This is reversible — the original JPEG can be perfectly reconstructed. Progressive decoding: JXL streams progressively, showing a rough preview that improves as more data downloads — useful for web delivery. Animation support. 32-bit floating point support (useful for HDR, scientific imaging). Up to 4096 channels (for scientific and medical imaging). Arbitrary bit depth (1 to 32 bits per channel). Royalty-free — all patents have been pledged free by contributors. Encoder: libjxl (open source, fast C++ implementation). Despite these advantages, browser support has been contentious: Chrome added JXL support in Chrome 91 (behind a flag), then removed it in Chrome 110 (late 2022) citing 'insufficient interest', then faced pushback from the web community. Firefox supports JXL behind a flag. Safari supports JXL since Safari 17 (2023).

JPEG XL pros and cons

Advantages

  • Better compression than JPEG, PNG, WebP, and AVIF for most content
  • Lossless JPEG recompression — smaller JPEGs with zero quality loss
  • Progressive decoding for fast web delivery
  • Royalty-free and open standard
  • Exceptional feature set: 32-bit float, HDR, wide colour gamut
  • Safari supports JXL (since Safari 17, 2023)

Limitations

  • Chrome removed JXL support in 2022 — only re-added in later versions
  • Firefox support is behind a flag
  • Very limited encoder tools compared to WebP/AVIF
  • No hardware decoding chips yet (unlike HEVC/AV1)
  • Uncertain browser adoption trajectory
  • CMS and image CDN support is minimal

When should you convert JPEG XL files?

Convert TO JXL for: archiving JPEG collections with zero quality loss and smaller files (using JPEG transcoding mode). Future-proofing image assets for when browser support matures. Scientific and medical imaging workflows where feature depth matters. Convert FROM JXL to JPG or WebP for web delivery until browser support stabilizes. Convert FROM JXL when sharing with tools or people that don't support the format.

Convert JPEG XL files

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JPEG XL FAQ

Why did Chrome drop JPEG XL support?
Google removed JPEG XL from Chrome 110 (2022), saying the format had not gained sufficient ecosystem momentum. The decision was controversial: the Chromium bug tracker accumulated hundreds of comments opposing the removal. Critics argued Google dropped JXL to protect AVIF (which Google invested in via the Alliance for Open Media). The decision highlighted the tension between an open web standard (JXL) and a Google-controlled codec (AVIF).
Is JPEG XL better than AVIF?
In many test scenarios: yes. JXL achieves better compression than AVIF for photographs, supports progressive decoding (AVIF doesn't), encodes faster, and has unique features like lossless JPEG transcoding. However, AVIF has better browser support (94% vs JXL's ~60%). For web use in 2024: AVIF is more practical. For archiving and future-proofing: JXL may be the better choice.
Can I use JPEG XL today?
For personal use and archiving: yes — libjxl, cjxl/djxl tools, and ImageMagick support JXL. For web delivery: check browser support with caniuse.com. Safari 17+ supports JXL, which means Apple device users can see JXL images. Chrome support varies by version. Use the <picture> element with JXL as the first source and JPG/WebP as fallback.

More formats

HEICWebPAVIFEPUBWebMOpusMP3WAVM4AFLACAACMP4AVIMKVMOVJPGPNGGIFSVGTIFFICOBMPEPSARWOGGWMVPPTXPagesPDFDOCXRAWHEVCH.264AIFFM4VWMA3GPDNGRTFPSDOGVTSFLVAIXLSXCSVZIPAPNGMIDIMPG/MPEGVOBM2TSAC3ALACDTSJP2HEIFAPECBZ3G2SRTDOCPPTXLSODTODSM3URAR7ZM4BAMRTXTMOBITARGZJSONXMLYAMLKEYMTSCR2NEFMXFTGACAFASSVTTDSFRMF4VWVASFRMVBORFRW2EAC-3TTAISODMGXZDjVuFB2AUM4RAZW3MKAEXRVCFICSAAXPRCMP2SPXXSPFM3U8