PNG vs JPG: Which Image Format Should You Use?
Last updated: 23 July 2026
PNG and JPG (JPEG) are the two most common image formats on the web, and picking the right one makes a real difference to how your image looks and how big the file is. The short version: JPG is best for photographs, PNG is best for graphics, logos and anything that needs transparency. Here is why.
The core difference: lossy vs lossless
JPG uses lossy compression. It throws away detail the eye is unlikely to miss to make files dramatically smaller. That is perfect for photos, where a tiny loss of detail is invisible but the size saving is huge. The trade-off: every time you re-save a JPG it loses a little more quality, and sharp edges or text can pick up fuzzy “artefacts”.
PNG uses lossless compression. It keeps every pixel exactly, so lines stay crisp and text stays sharp — but files are larger, especially for photographs.
Transparency
PNG supports transparency (an alpha channel); JPG does not. If your image needs a see-through background — a logo, an icon, a sticker — you must use PNG (or WebP). Save it as JPG and the transparent areas turn into a solid colour.
When to use JPG
- Photographs and realistic images with lots of colours and gradients.
- Anywhere small file size matters more than perfect edges — web galleries, email, social media.
When to use PNG
- Logos, icons, illustrations and diagrams with flat colours and sharp lines.
- Screenshots, especially ones containing text.
- Anything that needs a transparent background.
What about WebP?
WebP is a newer format that often beats both — smaller than JPG at the same quality, with PNG-style transparency. Every modern browser supports it, so it is worth using for the web. You can switch any image to WebP with our Image Converter.
Convert and compress for free
Need to change format or shrink a file? Do it privately in your browser: use the Image Converter to move between PNG, JPG and WebP, the Image Compressor to cut file size, and the Image Resizer to change dimensions. Nothing is uploaded — every image stays on your device.
Quick answer
Photo? Use JPG (or WebP). Logo, icon, screenshot or transparency? Use PNG (or WebP). When in doubt on the web, WebP is a great default.