How to View JPEG XL Image Files on Windows

JPEG XL is a new image format offering better compression and quality than JPEG and PNG.

Check the JPEG XL version (.jxl) of this file ↑

Since native support is still limited on Windows, here’s how you can view JPEG XL files:

Use a Third-Party Image Viewer

Some image viewers already support JPEG XL:

IrfanView (with plugin):

Download IrfanView.
Download the latest plugin pack from IrfanView’s plugins page.
Install the plugin pack, and restart IrfanView to enable JPEG XL support.

XnView MP:

Download XnView MP.
Install it, and you’ll be able to open JPEG XL files directly.

Use the JPEG XL Viewer Extension for Chrome

If you prefer to use your browser for viewing JPEG XL images, you can install the JPEG XL Viewer extension:

Install the JPEG XL Viewer from the Chrome Web Store.
After installation, simply drag and drop JPEG XL files into your browser to view them.

Convert JPEG XL to Another Format with XL Converter

If you're struggling to view the file, you can convert it to a more widely supported format:

Download XL Converter, install it and use the tool to convert JPEG XL files into more common formats like PNG or JPEG.

You can also use XnConvert. In this case, just select JXL - JPEG XL from Format dropdown menu, under Output tab - see A Quick Guide to Fast Convert HEIC Files with XnConvert, for more details.

Enable JPEG XL Thumbnails with JXL Winthumb

Download JXL Winthumb (or JPEG XL WIC - from the same page - if you want a user-friendly installer).
Install it, and you’ll be able to see JPEG XL thumbnails in Windows Explorer, making file management easier.