PNG vs JPG vs WebP: Which Image Format Should You Use?
A simple comparison of JPG, PNG and WebP: file size, quality, transparency and where each one works best, with a free converter.
Quick answer: use JPG for photos, PNG for screenshots, logos and anything with a transparent background, and WebP for websites when you want the smallest file at good quality. Switch between them with the free Image Converter.
Side-by-side
| JPG | PNG | WebP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy | Lossless | Lossy or lossless |
| File size (photo) | Small | Large (3–5× JPG) | Smallest (~25–35% under JPG) |
| Transparency | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Sharp text & lines | Can blur | ✅ Crisp | ✅ Crisp |
| Works everywhere | ✅ | ✅ | Almost (all modern browsers) |
When to use JPG
Photos from your phone or camera: portraits, travel shots, product photos. JPG keeps them small and looks great at 75–85% quality. Avoid it for screenshots with text, which can get fuzzy edges.
When to use PNG
- Screenshots and images with text
- Logos, icons and graphics with flat colours
- Anything that needs a transparent background
PNG files are big for photos. Converting a photo from PNG to JPG often makes it 5× smaller.
When to use WebP
WebP is Google's modern format. It produces the smallest files for the same visual quality and supports transparency. It's ideal for websites and blogs, where speed matters for SEO. A few older apps can't open it; convert to JPG if someone can't view your file.
Converting between formats
- Open the Image Converter.
- Drop in one or many images.
- Choose JPG, PNG or WebP and download.
Converting a transparent PNG to JPG fills the transparent area with white, since JPG can't store transparency.
Bonus: what about HEIC?
iPhones save photos as HEIC by default. To share them as JPG, go to Settings → Camera → Formats and choose Most Compatible, or export them as JPG from the Photos app.
Convert images now: Image Converter →