PNG vs JPG vs WebP: Which Image Format Should You Use?

Choosing the right image format can significantly impact your website's performance and image quality. This guide compares the three most popular formats: PNG, JPG, and WebP.

Quick Recommendation

• Photos and realistic images: Use JPG or WebP
• Graphics with transparency: Use PNG or WebP
• Logos and icons: Use PNG or SVG
• Web performance: Use WebP when possible

Understanding Each Format

JPG (JPEG)

JPG uses lossy compression, meaning it removes some image data to reduce file size.

Best for:

• Photographs
• Complex images with many colors
• When file size matters more than perfect quality

Pros:

• Small file sizes
• Universal support
• Great for photos

Cons:

• No transparency
• Quality degrades with each save
• Not ideal for text/graphics

PNG

PNG uses lossless compression, preserving all image data.

Best for:

• Graphics and illustrations
• Images with text
• Anything requiring transparency
• Screenshots

Pros:

• Lossless quality
• Transparency support
• Sharp edges and text

Cons:

• Larger file sizes
• Overkill for photographs

WebP

WebP is Google's modern format that offers both lossy and lossless compression.

Best for:

• Web images (supported by all modern browsers)
• When you need both quality and small size
• Replacing both PNG and JPG

Pros:

• 25-35% smaller than JPG at same quality
• Supports transparency (like PNG)
• Supports animation (like GIF)

Cons:

• Not supported by all software
• Some older browsers don't support it

File Size Comparison

Here's a typical comparison for a 1920x1080 image:

When to Use Each Format

Use JPG When:

• Sharing photos via email
• Uploading to social media
• Maximum compatibility is needed
• File size is critical

Use PNG When:

• You need transparency
• The image contains text
• Working with logos or icons
• Quality is more important than size

Use WebP When:

• Building modern websites
• You control the delivery (can fallback)
• Need best balance of size and quality
• Want transparency with small files

Converting Between Formats

Need to switch formats? Here's when it makes sense:

PNG to JPG: Reduce file size for photos without transparency

PNG to WebP: Smaller files while keeping transparency

JPG to PNG: Not recommended (already lost quality)

WebP to PNG/JPG: When you need broader compatibility

Best Practices for Web

1. Use WebP with fallbacks - Serve WebP to modern browsers, JPG/PNG to others
2. Compress images - Always optimize before uploading
3. Right size images - Don't upload 4000px images for 400px displays
4. Consider lazy loading - Load images as users scroll

Conclusion

There's no single "best" format - it depends on your use case:

• Photos for the web: WebP > JPG > PNG
• Graphics with transparency: WebP > PNG
• Maximum compatibility: JPG for photos, PNG for graphics
• Future-proofing: WebP

Use our free converters to switch between formats and find the right balance for your needs.