Every image you save is stored in a format, and the format quietly decides how big the file is, how sharp it looks and where you can use it. Three formats cover almost everything on the web today: JPG, PNG and WebP. This guide explains what each one is good at so you can pick the right one in seconds.
JPG: the standard for photographs
JPG (also written JPEG) uses lossy compression. It divides the picture into small blocks and discards fine detail that the eye barely notices, which makes photos far smaller than other formats. The more you compress, the smaller the file and the more visible the artifacts become, usually as blur or blocky edges. JPG does not support transparency and does not support animation.
Choose JPG for: photos, email attachments, social media uploads and any place that asks for a small file.
PNG: sharp graphics and transparency
PNG is lossless, so every pixel is stored exactly. That makes it ideal for logos, icons, diagrams and screenshots with text, where sharp edges matter. PNG also supports transparent backgrounds, which lets a logo sit cleanly on any colored page. The price is size: a photo saved as PNG is often many times larger than the same photo as JPG.
Choose PNG for: logos, icons, line art, screenshots with text, images you will edit repeatedly and anything that needs transparency.
WebP: smaller files for the web
WebP was created by Google to replace both of the older formats on websites. It can be lossy or lossless, supports transparency and can even be animated. In Google's comparisons, lossy WebP photos are roughly a quarter to a third smaller than JPG at similar quality, and lossless WebP is smaller than PNG. All current major browsers display it. Some older desktop software and a few upload forms still do not accept it.
Choose WebP for: website images where page speed matters, such as blog photos, product pictures and banners.
Quick comparison
- Smallest photo file: WebP, then JPG, then PNG.
- Transparency: PNG and WebP. JPG cannot.
- Best compatibility: JPG and PNG work almost everywhere.
- Lossless editing: PNG, or lossless WebP.
- Animation: WebP (GIF also exists but is large and limited).
How to decide in three questions
- Is it a photograph? Use JPG, or WebP if it is for your own website.
- Does it need a transparent background or crisp text? Use PNG.
- Does a form, app or old program reject the file? Convert to the format it accepts, usually JPG or PNG.
Converting without losing quality
Converting from a lossless format to a lossy one saves space, and converting the other way does not restore lost detail. Turning a JPG into a PNG will not make it sharper, and it usually makes the file bigger. The safe rule is to always keep your original file and make copies from it, rather than converting a copy again and again, because every lossy save removes a little more information.
You can convert in the browser with our Image Format Converter, or use the single-purpose tools: PNG to JPG, JPG to PNG, JPG to WebP and WebP to PNG. Files are processed on your device and never uploaded.
Quality settings that work
For lossy formats, 80 to 90 percent is a sweet spot for photos: the file shrinks a lot and the difference is hard to see. Go higher for screenshots with text and lower only after checking the result. If a picture is still too large, reduce its pixel dimensions with the Image Resizer or follow our guide on compressing images without losing quality.
The short version
Use JPG for photos you share, PNG for graphics and transparency, and WebP for images on your own website. Keep your originals, convert copies and check the file size before you send or upload.
Frequently asked questions
Is WebP better than JPG?
For website photos it usually gives smaller files at similar quality, so it is a good choice when you control the site and visitors use modern browsers. JPG is still the safest format for sharing files with other people because almost every app opens it.
Which format is best for a logo?
PNG, or SVG if your logo is a vector design. Both keep edges sharp, and PNG supports transparency. JPG would blur the edges and add a solid background.
Does converting PNG to JPG reduce quality?
Yes, a little, because JPG is lossy. At 85 to 92 percent quality the difference is usually invisible in photos while the file becomes much smaller. Keep the original PNG if you may edit the image later.