Every image format is a different set of trade-offs between file size, quality, and compatibility. Here’s how JPG, PNG, and WebP actually compare, and a simple rule of thumb for picking the right one.
JPG (JPEG)
The oldest and most universally supported format. JPG uses lossy compression tuned for photographs — smooth color gradients, complex detail, natural lighting. It does not support transparency; any transparent area gets filled with a solid color (usually white) when you save to JPG.
Use JPG for: photographs, anything with a lot of color detail and no transparency, and any situation where maximum compatibility matters (some very old tools and email clients still don’t fully support WebP).
PNG
Lossless — a PNG file is pixel-for-pixel identical to the original, no matter how many times you re-save it. That makes it the right choice for anything where sharp edges and exact colors matter: screenshots, logos, icons, diagrams, and any image that needs a transparent background.
The trade-off is size. PNG doesn’t compress photographic detail well, so a photo saved as PNG can be 5–10x larger than the same photo saved as JPG or WebP with no visible quality difference.
Use PNG for: screenshots, logos, graphics with flat colors or text, and anything that needs transparency and can’t use WebP.
WebP
A newer format built specifically to beat both of the above: it supports both lossy and lossless compression, supports transparency like PNG, and typically produces files 25–35% smaller than an equivalent-quality JPG. Every major browser supports it today.
Use WebP for: almost everything on the modern web — it’s usually the best combination of file size and quality, whether you’re compressing a photo or need transparency. The main reason not to use it is if you specifically need a file to open correctly in older or specialized software that hasn’t added WebP support.
Quick decision guide
| You have… | Use… |
|---|---|
| A photo, no transparency needed | WebP (or JPG for maximum compatibility) |
| A screenshot or graphic with text/sharp edges | PNG (or WebP for a smaller file) |
| An image that needs a transparent background | PNG or WebP |
| A file you’re sending somewhere that might not support WebP | JPG or PNG |
Converting between formats
Converting is lossless-in, lossy-out in one direction and irreversible in the other: going from PNG to JPG or WebP at a high quality setting looks fine, but going the other way (JPG to PNG) doesn’t recover any detail the original JPG compression already discarded — you just end up with a larger file of the same, already-compressed image.
Our image converter handles all three formats, runs entirely in your browser, and clearly warns you before converting to JPG if the source image has transparency that’s about to be flattened. Pair it with the batch image compressor to fine-tune the final file size, or the photo metadata viewer if you also want to check what EXIF data a photo is carrying before you share it.