Chrome Restarts Work on JPEG XL Support After Three Years

Three years ago, Google removed JPEG XL support from Chrome, saying there was not enough interest in it at the time. That situation has changed now.

In a recent note to developers, a representative from the Chrome team confirmed that work has resumed to bring JPEG XL to Chromium and said that Google “will ship it to Chrome after completing long-term maintenance and general launch requirements.”

The team explained that other platforms moved on. Safari supports JPEG XL, and Windows 11 users can add native support through an image extension from the Microsoft Store. The format has also been confirmed for use in PDF documents. There is a continuous demand for its return from developers and users.

Before Google ships the feature to Chrome, the company wants the integration to be secure and supported over time.

Chrome JPEG XL implementation adds animation support

A developer has submitted new code that reintroduces JPEG XL into Chromium. This version is marked as feature complete. The developer said it “also includes animation support”, which earlier implementations did not offer. The code passes most of Chrome’s automated tests, but it is under review and not available to users.

The featured image is taken from an unlisted developer demo created for testing purposes.

JPEG XL is a new image format created as a replacement for traditional JPEG files. It can reduce file size without loss in visual quality. This can help web pages load faster and reduce data usage. More details are available on the official JPEG XL website.

Google has not provided any timeline for JPEG XL support in Chrome. Users cannot enable the format today, but development has resumed after years without progress.

Venkat is a technical writer with over 15 years of experience, known for identifying new browser features and technical changes before they become public. While in India, he breaks down under-the-radar browser updates to help readers stay ahead.