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DICOM vs JPEG
DICOM is a standard for exchanging medical images with examination attributes; JPEG is an image format for broadly viewing and delivering pixels. Choose by whether the task needs clinical data or a shareable still image.
Which format should you choose?
Use DICOM when a clinical study and its attributes must move between medical systems. Export JPEG for a broadly viewable still image, and keep the original DICOM.
Good fit for DICOM
Storing and exchanging medical images and related examination data · Managing imaging studies in DICOM-aware clinical systems
- Keeping images together with examination and device attributes
- Transferring studies between DICOM viewers and PACS
Good fit for JPEG
Photographs · Web images
- Photographs intended for compact sharing
- Images with many colors
Basic information
| Field | DICOM | JPEG |
|---|---|---|
| Extension | .dcm | .jpg, .jpeg |
| MIME type | application/dicom | image/jpeg |
| Common uses | Storing and exchanging medical images and related examination data · Managing imaging studies in DICOM-aware clinical systems | Photographs · Web images |
| How to open | Use a DICOM medical-image viewer or PACS. If a file does not open, check whether it is a Part 10 file and whether the viewer supports the data set Transfer Syntax; the extension alone is not conclusive. | Most operating-system viewers, web browsers, and image editors can open JPEG files. |
| Export or convert | JPEG or PNG exports can help with viewing or general sharing, but often carry only rendered pixels. Examination attributes, multiple frames, and original encoding may be lost. For clinical use, check the exported image and metadata, and retain the source DICOM. | Exporting JPEG to PNG or WebP cannot restore data already removed by JPEG compression. Keep an original editing file, and use a proper export command rather than changing only the filename extension. |
Choose by use case
Keeping images together with examination and device attributes
Storing and exchanging medical images and related examination data · Managing imaging studies in DICOM-aware clinical systems
DICOMTransferring studies between DICOM viewers and PACS
Storing and exchanging medical images and related examination data · Managing imaging studies in DICOM-aware clinical systems
DICOMPhotographs intended for compact sharing
Photographs · Web images
JPEGImages with many colors
Photographs · Web images
JPEGKey point 1
DICOM Part 10 can contain file meta information and a medical data set; JPEG represents image pixels, not the full DICOM examination data set.
More on the differencesKey point 2
DICOM pixel data may use a JPEG Transfer Syntax, which is different from exporting a JPEG image file.
More on the differencesMore on the differences
Do not treat JPEG as a complete replacement for DICOM. Check the receiving system's DICOM support for clinical exchange; use an approved export and privacy review for a viewing copy, and retain the source study.
- DICOM can preserve examination and device attributes alongside image data; JPEG is mainly an encoded still image.
- Transfer Syntax controls DICOM pixel encoding and may include JPEG compression, but the surrounding DICOM file remains a medical data set.
- Conversion may discard multi-frame content and attributes. JPEG may also carry EXIF metadata or identifying text embedded in pixels.
Frequently asked questions
Can a DICOM image use JPEG compression?
Yes. Some DICOM Transfer Syntaxes use JPEG compression for pixel data. The file still has the DICOM structure and related attributes; it is not the same as exporting only a JPEG image.