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JPEG File Interchange Format

Version

1.02

Why a File Interchange Format

JPEG File Interchange Format is a minimal file format which enables JPEG bitstreams to
be exchanged between a wide variety of platforms and applications. This minimal format
does not include any of the advanced features found in the TIFF JPEG specification or any
application specific file format. Nor should it, for the only purpose of this simplified format
is to allow the exchange of JPEG compressed images.

JPEG File Interchange Format features

· Uses JPEG compression
· Uses JPEG interchange format compressed image representation
· PC or Mac or Unix workstation compatible
· Standard color space: one or three components. For three components, YCbCr

(CCIR 601-256 levels)

· APP0 marker used to specify Units, X pixel density, Y pixel density, thumbnail
· APP0 marker also used to specify JFIF extensions
· APP0 marker also used to specify application-specific information

JPEG Compression

Although any JPEG process is supported by the syntax of the JPEG File Interchange
Format (JFIF) it is strongly recommended that the JPEG baseline process be used for the
purposes of file interchange. This ensures maximum compatibility with all applications
supporting JPEG. JFIF conforms to the JPEG Draft International Standard (ISO DIS
10918-1).

The JPEG File Interchange Format is entirely compatible with the standard

JPEG interchange format;

the only additional requirement is the mandatory presence

of the APP0 marker right after the SOI marker. Note that JPEG interchange format
requires (as does JFIF) that all table specifications used in the encoding process be coded in
the bitstream prior to their use.

Compatible across platforms

The JPEG File Interchange Format is compatible across platforms: for example, it does not
use any resource forks, supported by the Macintosh but not by PCs or workstations.