JPEG vs. PDF: Which Should You Submit?
Key points
- PDF suits documents with several pages
- If the recipient specifies a format, follow it
- You can convert JPEG to PDF with a tool
When submitting photos or documents, you may wonder: "Is JPEG fine, or should I make a PDF?" Here are the differences and how to choose.
What is JPEG?
- It is a format for saving images such as photos, and each image is its own file.
- Photos taken with a phone are usually saved as JPEG (or something close to it).
- It opens as an image, so it is easy to view.
What is PDF?
- It is a format that saves a document looking exactly as it is.
- It can combine several pages into one file.
- It tends to display with the same layout on different computers and phones.
- It suits printing and submission.
Summary of the differences
| JPEG | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pages | Separate file for each image | Several pages in one file |
| Best for | Sharing photos and images | Submitting and keeping documents |
| Sending several | One file per image | One file is enough |
Which should you submit?
- The recipient asks for PDF: Make it a PDF.
- Submitting a multi-page document: Combine it into a PDF and hand over one file.
- Only one photo is needed (such as an ID photo): Follow the specified format, such as JPEG.
When in doubt, checking the recipient's instructions is the surest way.
How to turn JPEG into PDF
With the tool on this site, choose your photos and tap "Make PDF" to combine several photos into one PDF. Photos are processed only on your device.
Even after you turn photos into a PDF, the content is still an image. It won't become a PDF whose text you can select or copy.
Use the photos-to-PDF tool (free)
Tools that go well with this
- Photos to PDF: Combine several photos into one PDF in the order you choose. You can rotate, reorder and set a size limit.
- Compress PDF: Shrink a PDF to fit under a size you choose, for upload limits.
- Merge PDFs: Combine several PDF files into one, in the order you choose.
More guides
- How to Combine Photos into One PDF on iPhone
- How to Combine Multiple Images into One PDF (Windows, Mac, Android)
- Tips for Photographing Documents Clearly and Turning Them into a PDF
- What to Do When a PDF Made from Photos Is Too Large
- Checklist Before Submitting Documents as a PDF
- How to Save Receipts as PDFs with Your Phone