PNG vs JPG vs WebP: Which Image Format Should You Use?
A clear, no-jargon comparison of the three most common image formats — and exactly when to use each one.
Picking the wrong image format means either bloated files or blurry pictures. Once you understand the trade-offs, the choice becomes obvious.
JPG — the photographer's default
JPG uses lossy compression that's tuned for photos. It produces small files for images with lots of colours and gradients, but it can't store transparency and shows blocky artefacts around sharp edges and text.
PNG — sharp edges and transparency
PNG is lossless, so it keeps every pixel perfect. That makes it ideal for logos, icons, screenshots and anything with transparency. The downside is much larger files for photographs.
WebP — the modern all-rounder
WebP supports both lossy and lossless compression and transparency, typically producing files 25–35% smaller than JPG or PNG at the same quality. It's supported by every modern browser, which is why it's become the go-to format for the web.
Convert between them instantly
You can switch any image between PNG, JPG and WebP in one click — locally, with no quality surprises — using our free converter.
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