PNG vs JPG: When to Use Each Format
Published on March 1, 2026
Use JPG for photos. Use PNG for graphics with transparency or sharp edges. That covers 90% of cases. Here is why, and when the choice gets more nuanced.
JPG: Best for Photographs
JPG uses lossy compression that works well with the gradients and color variations found in photos. A 5 MB raw photo might compress to 500 KB as JPG with minimal visible quality loss. The tradeoff: every time you save a JPG, it loses a small amount of detail. Avoid repeatedly editing and saving JPGs.
PNG: Best for Graphics and Transparency
PNG uses lossless compression, preserving every pixel exactly. This makes it ideal for logos, icons, screenshots, and any image with text or sharp lines. PNG also supports transparency, which JPG does not. The downside: PNG files are much larger than JPG for photos, often 5-10x the size.
Quick Comparison
- File size: JPG is smaller for photos. PNG is smaller for simple graphics with few colors.
- Transparency: Only PNG supports it.
- Quality loss: JPG loses data each save. PNG never does.
- Best for web: JPG for hero images and product photos. PNG for UI elements and logos.
What About WebP?
WebP supports both lossy and lossless compression, plus transparency. It produces smaller files than both JPG and PNG in most cases. All modern browsers support it. If you are building a new website, WebP is often the best default choice. You can convert images with our Image to WebP tool.
Convert Between Formats
Need to switch between formats? Use our PNG to JPG converter to reduce photo file sizes, or JPG to PNG when you need lossless quality or transparency support. For a broader comparison including WebP, see our best image format for web guide. Working with vector graphics? Check SVG vs PNG. Wondering if JPG and JPEG are different? Read JPG vs JPEG. Need to combine images into a document? See how to convert image to PDF. Comparing PNG to GIF? Read PNG vs GIF. For professional print work, see TIFF vs PNG. Want to understand how image compression works under the hood? See lossless vs lossy compression. Comparing PNG to document formats? Read PNG vs PDF. Curious how PNG compares to next-gen formats? See AVIF vs PNG.