JPG vs PNG vs WebP: Choosing the Right Image Format

JPG, PNG or WebP? Learn how each image format compresses images, how they handle transparency and quality, and which one to choose for photos, logos and the web.

The short answer

Use JPG for photographs that need to work everywhere. Use PNG for screenshots, logos, diagrams and anything with sharp edges, text or transparency, especially when the image will be edited again. Use WebP for images on websites, where it usually gives the smallest files for both photos and graphics. The rest of this guide explains why, so you can make the call for less obvious cases.

How JPG works

JPG, also written JPEG, is widely used for photographs. Typical JPEG photo compression stores a simplified representation of visual detail, with a quality setting controlling the trade-off. It can be effective for photos while producing visible artifacts around text and hard edges. JPEG variants exist, so these practical notes describe the ordinary photo files used by this converter.

Lossy compression can work well for photographs because natural detail can hide moderate changes. Text and line art often reveal halos or blockiness more clearly. Ordinary JPG files do not store an alpha channel. Editing and re-encoding a lossy file can add generation loss, so keep the original instead of repeatedly converting the latest export.

How PNG works

PNG stores image samples losslessly using filtering and DEFLATE compression. It often works well for flat colors, diagrams and screenshots. Lossless storage means the decoded PNG samples are recovered without lossy codec damage; changing color space, resizing or editing before export can still change the picture.

PNG also supports a full alpha channel, so pixels can be partially transparent. That is what lets a logo sit cleanly on any background with smooth, anti-aliased edges. The downside is size: because PNG cannot discard detail, a photograph saved as PNG is often several times larger than the same photo as a good-quality JPG.

How WebP works

WebP supports lossy and lossless images, transparency and animation. Google’s published comparison studies report smaller files than the compared PNG and JPEG samples, but a study result is not a guaranteed saving for your image. This site’s quality-controlled WebP export is lossy; compare its actual file size and appearance with your original.

WebP is supported by modern mainstream browsers. Other destinations, including older desktop software, document tools and upload forms, can have different restrictions. Check the receiving application instead of assuming that browser display support means every workflow accepts the format.

What about AVIF?

AVIF is a newer format based on the AV1 video codec. It can produce even smaller files than WebP at similar quality, especially for photos, and current versions of the major browsers can display it. Creating AVIF files in the browser depends on your browser’s built-in encoder, so the AVIF converter works where that support exists and tells you clearly when it does not.

Side-by-side comparison

• Compression: JPG is lossy only, PNG is lossless only, WebP and AVIF offer both lossy and lossless options.
• Transparency: JPG has none; PNG, WebP and AVIF support a full alpha channel.
• Best for: JPG for photos to share widely, PNG for graphics, screenshots and editing masters, WebP for images on websites.
• Compatibility: JPG and PNG are widely accepted; verify WebP support in the receiving app or upload form.
• Animation: WebP and AVIF support it; PNG has a separate animated variant, APNG; JPG does not.

Which format to choose

• A photo for email, printing or a document: JPG at 80% to 90% quality.
• A product photo or blog image on your own website: WebP, with JPG as the source you keep.
• A logo, icon or illustration with transparency: PNG for editing and sharing, WebP for your website.
• A screenshot with text: PNG, or lossless WebP for the web. Avoid JPG, which blurs text.
• A master copy you will edit again: PNG, because it does not degrade when re-saved.

How to convert between formats

1. Open the converter for the conversion you need, such as PNG to JPG, JPG to WebP or WebP to PNG.
2. Drop one image or up to 20 images onto the page. Each image can be up to 30 MB.
3. Confirm the output format, and for JPG, WebP or AVIF, set the Quality slider. PNG output is always lossless, so it has no quality setting.
4. Compare the original and result previews and sizes, then download the file, or a ZIP for a batch.

Keep three rules in mind when converting. Converting a JPG to PNG makes the file larger but does not restore detail that JPG compression already removed. Converting a transparent PNG or WebP to JPG fills transparent areas with white, because JPG cannot store transparency. And animated GIF or WebP files are flattened to a single frame.

Frequently asked questions

Is WebP better than JPG?

For websites, usually yes: similar quality at a smaller size. For files you share with people who may open them in older software, JPG remains more compatible.

Does converting JPG to PNG improve quality?

No. It stops further loss when you edit and save again, but the detail removed by the original JPG compression cannot be recovered.