PNG vs JPG vs WEBP: which format to choose

Short answer: JPG for photographs, PNG for graphics with sharp edges or transparency, and WEBP when you want the smallest file for the web.

JPG — best for photographs

JPG uses lossy compression tuned for natural images, so photos stay small with little visible loss. It has no transparency and blurs sharp edges, so avoid it for logos, screenshots or text.

PNG — best for graphics and transparency

PNG is lossless and supports a transparent background. It is the right choice for logos, icons, screenshots and anything with crisp edges or text. The downside is much larger files for photographs.

WEBP — the modern web format

WEBP delivers JPG-like quality at 25–35% smaller size, plus PNG-like transparency. Every modern browser supports it, which makes it the best default for websites. The only caveat: some older desktop software can't open it yet.

Quick recommendation

• Website and app images → WEBP
• Photos to share or print → JPG
• Logos, icons, transparency, screenshots → PNG

You can convert between all three for free, right in your browser, with our image converter.