Guides
JPG vs PNG vs WebP: Which Image Format Should You Use?
A practical guide to choosing between JPG, PNG and WebP for photographs, transparency, graphics and website images, plus when to compress, resize or convert an image.
There is no single "best" image format. JPG, PNG and WebP each make different tradeoffs between file size, quality and features. This guide explains when to use each, and what "compress," "resize" and "convert" actually mean — so you pick the right action for the job.
Format comparison
| Format | Best for | Transparency | Compression |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPG / JPEG | Photographs, images with many colors and gradients | No | Lossy |
| PNG | Screenshots, graphics, sharp text, line art, logos | Yes | Lossless |
| WebP | Website images where a smaller file matters | Yes | Lossy or lossless |
When to use JPG
Use JPG for photographs and other images with lots of colors and smooth gradients. JPG throws away detail the eye is less likely to notice, which makes photo files much smaller. It is a poor choice for images with sharp text, fine lines or transparency — those get blurry or blocky.
When to use PNG
Use PNG for screenshots, graphics with sharp edges, line art, logos and anything that needs transparency. PNG keeps every pixel exact, so text stays crisp, but the files are larger than JPG for photos. Saving a photograph as PNG will not make it look better than JPG — it will just make the file bigger.
When to use WebP
Use WebP for images headed for a website when you want a smaller file than JPG or PNG at similar visual quality. It supports both lossy and lossless compression and transparency. The catch: WebP is supported by modern browsers, but not by very old ones, and it is not always the right choice for images that will be edited repeatedly — re-encoding a lossy WebP multiple times degrades it.
JPG quality is a tradeoff
When compressing a JPG, the quality setting decides how much detail to keep versus how small to make the file. There is no single correct number — it depends on the image and the encoder. Around 80 to 85 percent is often a useful starting point for web photographs, but you should inspect the result and adjust up or down. Fine detail and text suffer first as quality drops, so trust your eyes rather than a fixed setting.
AVIF
AVIF is a newer format that can produce smaller files than WebP at similar quality, with support for transparency and HDR. It is gaining support in modern browsers, but it is not yet as widely compatible as JPG, PNG or WebP. Use it when you control the audience's browsers and want the smallest file; otherwise stick with WebP or JPG for broader compatibility.
Compress, resize or convert?
These are three different actions, and doing the wrong one will not give you the result you want:
- Compress — reduce the file size without changing the dimensions. Use this when an image is too large to upload but should stay the same size. Image Compressor.
- Resize — change the width and height in pixels. Use this when a form asks for exact dimensions or an image is physically too large. Image Resizer.
- Convert — switch the file format (for example, JPG to WebP). Use this when you want WebP's smaller size or transparency support. JPG to WebP Converter.
A quick rule of thumb: for a photo going on a website, try JPG or WebP at a quality you are happy with. For a screenshot or graphic with text, use PNG. If you are not sure, convert a copy and compare the result against the original before replacing it.