What is HEIC? The Complete Guide to High Efficiency Image Format
HEIC is a modern image format based on the High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF) standard. It commonly uses HEVC compression to significantly reduce photo file sizes compared with standard JPEG images while maintaining high image quality.
The Technology Behind HEIC and HEIF
The High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF) standard was developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) to provide a more efficient way of storing images and related image data. HEIC is one of the commonly used file extensions associated with HEIF images and typically uses HEVC (H.265) compression to encode visual information efficiently. For a direct format breakdown, see our HEIC vs JPG comparison.
Unlike traditional image files designed primarily around a single image, HEIF containers can store multiple images or image sequences, metadata such as EXIF information, auxiliary images such as depth maps, alpha transparency, and thumbnail images within the same container. Learn more about Apple's adoption in our guide on why iPhone uses HEIC instead of JPG and how Samsung Galaxy implements it in converting HEIC on Samsung.
Key Benefits of HEIC
- • More Storage Efficient Than JPEG: HEIC can provide comparable image quality at smaller file sizes than traditional JPEG in many situations.
- • Supports Higher Color Depth: HEIF/HEIC can support higher color depths than JPEG's commonly used 8-bit-per-channel workflow.
- • Supports Multiple Images and Image Sequences: Compatible HEIF containers can store multiple images, image sequences, and related image data within a single file.
- • Supports Transparency: Compatible HEIF configurations can store alpha transparency, which JPEG does not support.
Compatibility Challenges
- • System & Platform Friction: Some operating systems, applications, and older devices may require additional codec support or software to open HEIC photos.
- • Web Browser Support: HEIC is not a universally supported web image format, so websites and browser-based workflows may require conversion to a more widely supported format.
- • Printing & Form Uploads: Some online forms, document workflows, printing services, and application portals may not accept
.HEICfiles.
Why You May Need to Convert HEIC
The best output format depends on what you want to do with the image.
Converting HEIC to JPG can improve compatibility when sharing photos, uploading images to forms, or using applications that do not accept HEIC. See our step-by-step guide on how to convert HEIC to JPG or learn about bulk converting HEIC files.
Converting HEIC to PNG provides lossless output and transparency support for graphics and illustrations.
Converting HEIC to PDF can be useful when you need to turn photos into a document for sharing, printing, archiving, or document-based workflows.
Converting HEIC to WebP can be useful for web-oriented workflows where a modern, efficient image format is preferred.
Our HEIC conversion tools process supported files locally in your browser, so your photos do not need to be uploaded to a remote server for conversion.
Convert your HEIC images safely and quickly in your browser with no upload required.