JPG vs PNG: Which Format Should You Use?

JPG vs PNG: The Short Answer

• Use JPG for photos. It makes small files that look great.
• Use PNG for graphics. Logos, screenshots, text and anything that needs a transparent background.

That rule covers 90% of cases. The rest of this guide explains why, so you can handle the other 10% with confidence.

What Is a JPG?

JPG (also called JPEG) is a photo format from 1992. It uses lossy compression. That means it throws away small details that your eyes barely notice. In return, files get much smaller.

JPG is the standard for cameras, phones, websites and email. Almost every device and app supports it.

What Is a PNG?

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) appeared in 1996. It uses lossless compression. Every single pixel stays exactly as it was. Nothing gets thrown away.

PNG also supports transparency. Parts of the image can be fully or partly see-through. That's why logos and icons are often PNGs.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Which Has Better Quality: JPG or PNG?

PNG has perfect quality. It never loses data. JPG loses a little each time you save it.

But here's the catch. For photos, a high-quality JPG (85–95%) looks the same as a PNG to the human eye. And it's often 5 to 10 times smaller. So "better quality" doesn't always mean "better choice".

Where PNG truly looks better is with sharp edges. Text, lines, charts and logos get blurry halos in JPG. PNG keeps them crisp.

When to Use JPG

• Photos from your phone or camera
• Pictures for email, chat and social media
• Images for job, school or government forms
• Product photos and blog images
• Any time file size matters

When to Use PNG

• Logos and icons
• Screenshots with text
• Charts, diagrams and infographics
• Images with a transparent background
• Graphics you'll edit and re-save many times

A Quick Decision Guide

What About WebP?

WebP is a newer format by Google. It does the job of both JPG and PNG, with smaller files. It supports lossy and lossless compression, plus transparency.

For websites, WebP is often the best pick. For printing, editing and sharing outside the browser, JPG and PNG are still safer. Read What is a WebP file? to learn more, or convert your images with our PNG to WebP converter.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Saving photos as PNG. Your 2 MB photo becomes a 15 MB PNG with no visible benefit. Use JPG.

Saving logos as JPG. The edges get fuzzy and the background turns white. Use PNG.

Converting JPG to PNG to "improve quality". It doesn't work. Lost detail can't come back. PNG only stops further loss.

Re-saving the same JPG over and over. Each save adds artifacts. Keep a master copy in PNG if you'll edit often.

How to Convert Between JPG and PNG

You can switch formats in seconds with our free tools:

• PNG to JPG converter – shrink big PNG photos
• JPG to PNG converter – get a lossless copy for editing
• PNG compressor – make PNGs smaller without changing format
• JPEG compressor – make JPGs smaller still

All of them run in your browser, so your images are never uploaded.