JPG, JPEG, PNG and HEIC: which one does the form want?
A form that says "invalid file format" is looking at the file type. Here is what the common types are and when each is right.
| Type | What it is | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| JPG or JPEG | The same type with two spellings. Small files, made for photos. | Photos, signatures and scans on almost every form. |
| PNG | Keeps every dot exactly, and can have see-through areas. Heavier for photos. | Logos, or a cut-out with no background. |
| HEIC | The type newer iPhones save by default. Small, but many websites cannot open it. | Keeping on your phone. Change it before uploading. |
| A document of one or more pages. | Certificates, forms and anything with several pages. |
JPG and JPEG are the same
If a form asks for JPEG and your file ends in .jpg, it is already correct. A few old forms check the ending of the name only. In that case, renaming photo.jpg to photo.jpeg is safe and enough.
Renaming does not change other types
Renaming photo.heic or photo.png to photo.jpg does not turn it into a JPG. The inside of the file is still the old type, and the form will reject it. The file has to be saved again as the new type.
How to change the type
Add the file to Shrink files and choose JPG, PNG or PDF. iPhone HEIC photos open there directly. To turn photos into one document, use photos to one PDF.
Tools for this
- Make your photo fit any online form
- Remove the background from a photo
- Turn photos into one PDF under 200 KB
More guides
- KB, pixels and DPI, explainedWhat each number on a form means, with a cm to pixels table.
- Why is my file too large?Why phone photos are heavy, and the safe way to shrink them.
- Passport photo at homeLight, distance and background, so the photo is not rejected.
- Scan documents with a phoneA sharp, flat, small scan without a scanner.
- Sign a PDF without printingDraw your signature and place it on the page.
- Share an ID card copy safelyMark it, hide what is not needed, and send less.