JPG vs PNG vs WebP: Which Format Should You Use?
· 4 min read
JPG, PNG or WebP? A plain-English guide to what each image format is good at, how they differ in size and quality, and when to pick each one.
Free tool for this guide Convert Image → Switch between PNG, JPG and WebP.Every picture on your phone or computer is saved in some format. The three you will meet most often are JPG, PNG and WebP. They look similar on screen, but they behave differently when it comes to file size, quality and what they can do. Picking the right one saves space and avoids upload errors.
The short answer
- Photos: JPG (or WebP when it is accepted)
- Screenshots, logos, text and drawings: PNG
- Websites and apps where you want small files: WebP
- Forms that name a format: whichever the form asks for
Now the details.
JPG (also written JPEG)
JPG has been the standard for photos for decades. Almost every phone, camera, website and form understands it.
How it works. JPG is lossy. To make files small, it throws away detail that your eye is unlikely to notice. The lower the quality setting, the more detail is lost and the smaller the file becomes.
Good for: photos of people, places and objects, with lots of colours and soft changes.
Not good for: sharp text, thin lines and flat-colour graphics. At low quality these get fuzzy edges and blotches.
Watch out for:
- JPG cannot be see-through. Transparent areas turn solid, usually white.
- Every time you open and re-save a JPG at a lower quality, you lose a little more detail. Keep the original and save copies.
PNG
PNG was made for graphics.
How it works. PNG is lossless. It keeps every pixel exactly as it was, so there is no quality loss when you save it again. The price is larger files, especially for photos.
Good for: screenshots, logos, charts, text on a plain background, and anything with sharp edges. PNG also supports transparency, so a logo can sit on any background.
Not good for: photographs. A photo saved as PNG can be five or ten times larger than the same photo as JPG, with no visible benefit.
WebP
WebP is a newer format made for the web.
How it works. WebP can be lossy like JPG or lossless like PNG, and it supports transparency. At similar visible quality, WebP files are often noticeably smaller than JPG or PNG.
Good for: websites, apps and chats, where small files load faster and save data.
Watch out for: compatibility. Modern browsers and phones open WebP, but some older programs, printing services, email tools and upload forms do not accept it. If a form lists “JPG or PNG”, do not upload WebP. Also, some browsers cannot save WebP files, in which case they will tell you.
Comparison at a glance
| JPG | PNG | WebP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Photos | Graphics, screenshots | Web images |
| Quality loss | Yes (lossy) | None (lossless) | Either |
| Transparency | No | Yes | Yes |
| File size for photos | Small | Large | Smallest |
| Works everywhere | Yes | Yes | Mostly, not on older software |
Which one should I use?
Sending a photo to a friend or to a form. Use JPG. It works everywhere and stays small.
Taking a screenshot of an app. PNG keeps text sharp. If the file is too big to send and it mostly shows photos, converting it to JPG can shrink it a lot.
Putting a logo on a coloured background. PNG, so the see-through parts stay see-through.
Saving space on your own website. WebP, with JPG or PNG as a backup if you need to support old software.
Printing. JPG at a high quality, or PNG for graphics. Ask your print shop what they prefer.
How to switch between formats
Our Convert Image tool changes images between JPG, PNG and WebP.
- Choose one or more images.
- Pick the format you want.
- If you chose JPG or WebP, set the quality. 90 is a good starting point.
- Tap Convert images and download the results. For many files, use the ZIP option.
When you save to JPG, see-through areas are filled with white, because JPG cannot be transparent.
If your problem is file size
Changing the format is one way to shrink a file. You have two more:
- Lower the quality of a JPG or WebP with Compress Image. Moderate settings are hard to notice on a phone screen.
- Make the picture smaller in pixels with Resize Image. A 4000-pixel-wide photo is far more than most screens or forms need.
For forms with strict limits, read how to reduce photo size for online application forms.
Common mistakes
- Saving a photo as PNG to “keep quality”. You get a huge file with no visible gain. Use high-quality JPG.
- Converting JPG to PNG to “improve” it. Detail already lost cannot come back. The PNG will just be bigger.
- Saving a logo as JPG. You lose transparency and may see fuzzy edges around the letters.
- Uploading WebP where JPG is requested. Convert first.
- Re-saving the same JPG many times. Always work from the original.
Summary
JPG for photos, PNG for sharp graphics and transparency, WebP for small files where it is accepted. When in doubt, JPG is the safe choice. And whatever you pick, keep your original file, so you can always make another copy in a different format.
Try it now
Switch an image between PNG, JPG and WebP. Works with many files at the same time. Your files never leave your device.