Picking the wrong image format can make a webpage load 5× slower or break transparency on a logo. Here's a plain-English guide to JPG, PNG, and WebP — and when to use each one.
JPG (JPEG) — best for photographs
JPG uses lossy compression — it permanently discards some pixel data to make smaller files. For photos with millions of colors (portraits, food, landscapes, product shots), the quality loss at 75–85% quality settings is invisible, while file sizes drop 60–80% compared to uncompressed formats.
Don't use JPG for logos, screenshots, or text. The compression creates blocky artifacts around hard edges. JPG also doesn't support transparency, so images with transparent backgrounds need a different format.
PNG — best for graphics, logos, and transparency
PNG uses lossless compression — every pixel is preserved exactly. This makes it ideal for logos, icons, screenshots, and illustrations where sharp edges and perfect colors matter. PNG also supports full alpha-channel transparency.
The tradeoff is file size. A full-color PNG photo will be 5–10× larger than the equivalent JPG. Use PNG for graphics and screenshots; use JPG for photographs.
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Convert any image between JPG, PNG, and WebP — free, browser-based, no signup
WebP — best for modern websites
WebP, developed by Google, offers the best of both worlds. Lossy WebP is 25–34% smaller than JPG at the same quality. Lossless WebP is 26% smaller than PNG. It supports transparency. All modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari 14+, Edge) support it.
If you're building or maintaining a website today, WebP is almost always the right choice for both photos and graphics. The compression advantage is significant and there's essentially no visual trade-off.
Quick reference: which format to pick
- Photo on a website → WebP (JPG as fallback for older browsers)
- Logo or icon with transparency → WebP (PNG as fallback)
- Screenshot of text or UI → PNG (preserves sharp edges perfectly)
- Image for email → JPG (best compatibility across email clients)
- Simple animation → GIF or WebP
- Image for print → PNG or TIFF at 300+ DPI
Image Compressor
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does converting JPG to PNG improve quality?
No — you can't recover lost data. The original lossy compression happened when the JPG was created. PNG just stores those already-degraded pixels without further loss.
Does WebP support transparency like PNG?
Yes. WebP supports full alpha-channel transparency and can be used anywhere you'd use a transparent PNG, with better compression.
Is PNG or JPG better for screenshots?
PNG is almost always better for screenshots. It preserves sharp text and UI elements perfectly. JPG creates visible artifacts around text and icons.
Can I use WebP everywhere?
For modern sites, yes. All major browsers have supported WebP since 2020. Internet Explorer (essentially obsolete) doesn't support it.