Guide
JPG vs PNG: which format to use
JPG and PNG are not better or worse than each other: they are built for different images. Picking by the content — photo or graphic, with or without transparency — gets the smallest file with the best look.
JPG for photographs
JPG discards detail the eye barely notices, which makes photos several times smaller than any lossless format. It has no transparency, and saving the same file again and again adds visible artefacts, so keep the original and export from it.
PNG for text, logos, screenshots and transparency
PNG keeps every pixel exactly, so sharp edges, small text and flat colours stay crisp, and it supports transparent backgrounds. The cost is size: a photo saved as PNG can be five to ten times heavier than as JPG.
WebP, and the pitfalls of converting
WebP does both jobs: lossy for photos, typically 25 to 35% smaller than JPG, and lossless with transparency for graphics. Every current browser reads it; some older desktop software does not.
Converting PNG to JPG turns transparent areas white, so a logo gains a white box around it. Converting JPG to PNG does not bring back lost detail — it only makes the file bigger.
Frequently asked questions
Is JPG or PNG better for photos?
JPG, or WebP. They produce much smaller files for photos with no visible difference.
Which format supports transparency?
PNG and WebP. JPG has no transparency: transparent areas become a solid colour, usually white.
Is WebP better for websites?
Usually yes: smaller files at the same quality, with transparency when needed, and support in every current browser.
Does converting JPG to PNG improve quality?
No. The detail JPG discarded is gone; PNG just stores what is left in a bigger file.
Use the tool
Apply these steps directly in the browser.
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