JPG vs PNG vs WebP - Which Format Should You Use?
The short answer
- - JPG - photographs and images where small file size matters more than pixel-perfect quality.
- - PNG - logos, screenshots, graphics with text, or anything that needs a transparent background.
- - WebP - web images where you want the best quality-to-size ratio and browser support is not a concern.
JPG: the right choice for photos
JPG (also written JPEG) uses lossy compression, which means it discards some image data to achieve smaller file sizes. For photographs, this trade-off is nearly invisible at normal quality settings - human eyes are not good at detecting the subtle compression artifacts in continuous-tone images like photos. Use JPG for: product photos, hero images, photography portfolios, social media images, email attachments, anywhere file size matters. Avoid JPG for: logos, text in images, screenshots, icons - these have sharp edges and flat colors that JPG compression distorts visibly.
PNG: the right choice for graphics
PNG uses lossless compression, which means every pixel is preserved exactly. It also supports full transparency, making it the only option when you need a background-free image (like a logo placed on a colored background). Use PNG for: logos, icons, screenshots, UI elements, any image with transparency, images with text overlays, graphics with flat colors. Avoid PNG for: photographs - PNG files of photos are enormous compared to JPG equivalents, often 5-10x larger with no visible quality difference.
WebP: the modern choice for web
WebP was developed by Google specifically for web use. It offers both lossy and lossless compression and consistently produces smaller files than JPG or PNG at equivalent quality. It also supports transparency (like PNG) and animation (like GIF). Use WebP for: all web images where you control the code and can verify browser compatibility. Most modern browsers support WebP, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari (since 2020), and Edge. Avoid WebP for: images shared in email, printed documents, or workflows where the recipient may not have a WebP-compatible viewer.
Practical size comparison
For a typical 1200x800 photograph: - JPG at high quality: ~200-400 KB - PNG: ~800-2000 KB - WebP at equivalent quality: ~150-250 KB
WebP saves roughly 25-35% compared to JPG and is significantly smaller than PNG for photographic content.
Quick decision guide
| Situation | Best format | |-----------|------------| | Photo on a website | WebP (fallback: JPG) | | Logo on a website | WebP or PNG | | Profile photo on social media | JPG | | Screenshot for documentation | PNG | | Email attachment | JPG | | Animated image | WebP or GIF |
Converting between formats
Use the free tools below to convert between any of these formats instantly in your browser - no uploads to servers.