JPG vs PNG vs WebP: Which Image Format Should You Actually Use?

Every image format is a different tradeoff between file size, quality, and what it supports (transparency, animation, etc.). Picking the wrong one is one of the most common reasons a website loads slowly or a logo looks wrong when placed on a colored background.

JPG (JPEG)

Best for: photos and anything with lots of color gradients — sunsets, product photography, portraits. JPG uses lossy compression, meaning it throws away some image data to keep file size small. This is invisible for photos but creates visible blocky artifacts around sharp edges, which is why JPG is a poor choice for text, logos, or screenshots.

PNG

Best for: logos, screenshots, graphics with text, and anything that needs a transparent background. PNG is lossless — no quality is thrown away — which makes files larger than an equivalent JPG, but edges and text stay crisp. If you've ever seen a logo with a visible white box around it instead of blending into the page, that logo should have been a PNG.

WebP

Best for: basically everything on a modern website. WebP supports both lossy and lossless compression, handles transparency like PNG, and typically produces files 25-35% smaller than an equivalent JPG or PNG at the same visual quality. The only reason not to default to WebP is compatibility with very old software that doesn't support it.

Quick decision guide

• Need transparency and it's not a photo? Use PNG (or WebP if size matters).
• It's a photo and file size matters most? Use JPG or, better, WebP.
• Building a website and want the smallest files without hurting quality? Use WebP everywhere you can.

Converting between formats

You don't need design software to switch formats — the Image Converter tool handles JPG, PNG, WebP, and BMP conversions directly in your browser, so the file never has to leave your device.