JPG vs PNG: Which Image Format Should You Use?
A clear explanation of the difference, with simple rules for when to use each format.
JPG and PNG are the two most common image formats, and people mix them up all the time — saving logos as JPG, photos as PNG, and then wondering why the file is huge or the edges look rough. The choice matters, and the rule is simpler than most explanations make it sound.
The short version
Use JPG for photographs. Use PNG for everything else — logos, icons, screenshots, and anything with text or a transparent background.
How JPG compression works
JPG uses lossy compression. When you save as JPG, the algorithm discards some visual data your eye is unlikely to notice — subtle colour variations, fine grain in shadows. The result is a much smaller file that looks nearly identical at normal sizes.
The problem: JPG does not know what is important. When it encounters sharp edges — the line between black text and a white background, for example — it tends to blur and smudge them. This creates faint blocky artefacts. On a forest photograph they are invisible. On a business card logo, they are obvious.
JPG also cannot store transparency. Every pixel must be solid, which is why saving a logo with a transparent background as JPG fills it with white.
How PNG compression works
PNG uses lossless compression. It compresses the file without discarding any data — every pixel is stored exactly as it was. When you open a PNG, you get a perfect reconstruction of the image down to the last pixel. This is why PNG images stay sharp no matter how many times you open, edit, and re-save them.
PNG also supports a full alpha channel — individual pixels can be partially or fully transparent. This is why logos and icons are saved as PNG: they sit cleanly over any background without a white box around them.
The trade-off is file size. A photograph that is 200 KB as JPG might be 3–4 MB as PNG — no visible difference, just dramatically larger. For websites with dozens of photos, that adds up fast.
When each format wins
Use JPG for:
- ✓Photos of people, places, nature
- ✓Product photography
- ✓Social media images
- ✓Website hero images and banners
- ✓Any image where file size matters and there is no transparency needed
Use PNG for:
- ✓Logos, icons, brand assets
- ✓Screenshots with sharp text
- ✓Diagrams and technical illustrations
- ✓Images with transparent backgrounds
- ✓Anything you will edit and re-save multiple times
What about WebP?
WebP is a newer format from Google that combines the advantages of both — smaller files than JPG at the same quality, plus transparency support like PNG. All modern browsers support it. The catch: older desktop apps often do not recognise WebP, so it is not always suitable for files shared widely or used in print workflows.
For web images, WebP is increasingly the best choice. For anything else, stick with JPG or PNG depending on the content type.
Need to switch formats?
Convert between JPG, PNG, and WebP for free — no download required.