pylibjpeg-libjpeg
A Python wrapper for libjpeg, with a focus on use as a plugin for for pylibjpeg
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you need JPEG or JPEG-LS decoding in a DICOM or scientific imaging context. The package is actively maintained, has no known vulnerabilities, and offers broad platform support. The GPL v3.0 copyleft license is a hard blocker for closed-source projects; open-source and research users should install without hesitation. Encoding is not supported, so it is not suitable for JPEG generation workflows.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.10 or later; NumPy must be installed.
- On Windows, development builds require Microsoft C++ Build Tools.
- Pre-built wheels available for Python 3.10–3.13 on Linux, macOS, and Windows reduce install friction.
License · maintenance · safety
GPL V3.0 (copyleft) — Licensed under GPL v3.0 (copyleft). Any derivative work or distribution must comply with copyleft obligations; proprietary or closed-source projects should review compatibility before use.
last release 2026-03-07 (160 days) · last repo commit 2026-04-01 · 17 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 251,404 downloads/mo, #8,584 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
from libjpeg import decode
import numpy as np
# Decode JPEG file to NumPy array
arr = decode('filename.jpg')
# Or with file object
with open('filename.jpg', 'rb') as f:
arr = decode(f.read())- Performance characteristics (decode speed, memory usage) relative to other JPEG decoders
- Completeness of JPEG-LS support and any known limitations
- Stability and bug-fix frequency beyond the stated active maintenance status
What it is and what it does
pylibjpeg-libjpeg is a Python wrapper around Thomas Richter's libjpeg library, designed primarily as a plugin for the pylibjpeg ecosystem and pydicom. It decodes JPEG and JPEG-LS images into NumPy arrays, supporting both standalone use and integration with DICOM workflows. The package handles multiple DICOM transfer syntaxes including JPEG Baseline, JPEG Extended, JPEG Lossless, and JPEG-LS variants.
The package is built on compiled C++ bindings and ships with pre-built wheels for modern Python versions (3.10–3.13) across Linux, macOS, and Windows, reducing installation complexity for most users. It depends only on NumPy and is maintained as part of the pydicom project. Encoding is not currently supported; the focus is on decoding medical and standard JPEG formats.
Use it for
- Decompress JPEG-encoded DICOM medical images within a pydicom workflow
- Decode JPEG-LS lossless images for archival or diagnostic imaging applications
- Standalone conversion of JPEG files to NumPy arrays for scientific image processing
- Plugin integration with pylibjpeg to support multiple JPEG codecs in a single application
- Batch processing of DICOM datasets with JPEG-compressed pixel data
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you need JPEG or JPEG-LS decoding in a DICOM or scientific imaging context.
The package is actively maintained, has no known vulnerabilities, and offers broad platform support. The GPL v3.0 copyleft license is a hard blocker for closed-source projects; open-source and research users should install without hesitation. Encoding is not supported, so it is not suitable for JPEG generation workflows.
Install
pylibjpeg-libjpeg on PyPI
Before you install
Pre-built wheels available for Python 3.10–3.13 on Linux, macOS, and Windows reduce install friction. Repository is active with recent commits. Medium install friction reflects compiled C++ bindings; development builds require Microsoft C++ Build Tools on Windows.
Requires Python 3.10 or later; NumPy must be installed. On Windows, development builds require Microsoft C++ Build Tools.
License in practice
Licensed under GPL v3.0 (copyleft). Any derivative work or distribution must comply with copyleft obligations; proprietary or closed-source projects should review compatibility before use.
Quickstart
from libjpeg import decode
import numpy as np
# Decode JPEG file to NumPy array
arr = decode('filename.jpg')
# Or with file object
with open('filename.jpg', 'rb') as f:
arr = decode(f.read())Verify before relying
- Performance characteristics (decode speed, memory usage) relative to other JPEG decoders
- Completeness of JPEG-LS support and any known limitations
- Stability and bug-fix frequency beyond the stated active maintenance status
Package facts
| License | GPL V3.0 copyleft |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release <4.0,>=3.10 |
| Install friction | Medium. Platform-specific wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 1 packagenumpy |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 160 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 251,404 / month, #8,584 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableIntended Audience :: DevelopersIntended Audience :: Healthcare IndustryIntended Audience :: Science/ResearchLicense :: OSI Approved :: GNU General Public License v3 (GPLv3)License :: Other/Proprietary LicenseNatural Language :: EnglishOperating System :: MacOS :: MacOS XOperating System :: Microsoft :: WindowsOperating System :: POSIX :: LinuxProgramming Language :: C++Programming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.14Topic :: Scientific/Engineering :: Medical Science Apps.Topic :: Software Development :: Libraries |
Evidence: pylibjpeg_libjpeg-2.4.0-cp310-cp310-macosx_10_9_x86_64.whl; pylibjpeg_libjpeg-2.4.0-cp310-cp310-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; pylibjpeg_libjpeg-2.4.0-cp310-cp310-manylinux2014_x86_64.manylinux_2_17_x86_64.whl; pylibjpeg_libjpeg-2.4.0-cp310-cp310-manylinux_2_24_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; pylibjpeg_libjpeg-2.4.0-cp310-cp310-win32.whl; pylibjpeg_libjpeg-2.4.0-cp310-cp310-win_amd64.whl; pylibjpeg_libjpeg-2.4.0-cp311-cp311-macosx_10_9_x86_64.whl; pylibjpeg_libjpeg-2.4.0-cp311-cp311-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; pylibjpeg_libjpeg-2.4.0-cp311-cp311-manylinux2014_x86_64.manylinux_2_17_x86_64.whl; pylibjpeg_libjpeg-2.4.0-cp311-cp311-manylinux_2_24_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; pylibjpeg_libjpeg-2.4.0-cp311-cp311-win32.whl; pylibjpeg_libjpeg-2.4.0-cp311-cp311-win_amd64.whl; pylibjpeg_libjpeg-2.4.0-cp312-cp312-macosx_10_13_x86_64.whl; pylibjpeg_libjpeg-2.4.0-cp312-cp312-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; pylibjpeg_libjpeg-2.4.0-cp312-cp312-manylinux2014_x86_64.manylinux_2_17_x86_64.whl; pylibjpeg_libjpeg-2.4.0-cp312-cp312-manylinux_2_24_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; pylibjpeg_libjpeg-2.4.0-cp312-cp312-win32.whl; pylibjpeg_libjpeg-2.4.0-cp312-cp312-win_amd64.whl; pylibjpeg_libjpeg-2.4.0-cp313-cp313-macosx_10_13_x86_64.whl; pylibjpeg_libjpeg-2.4.0-cp313-cp313-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl
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See also pylibjpeg · pylibjpeg-openjpeg · pyjpegls · PyTurboJPEG · simplejpeg · turbojpeg · python-gdcm · pydicom · lilcom · qoi