PNG and JPG are the two most common image formats, and almost everyone has wondered at some point which one to use. The short answer: JPG for photos, PNG for graphics with sharp edges and transparency. Below, we'll explain why, and what to do if your file ends up in the "wrong" format.
The key difference: how the image is compressed
JPG (JPEG) uses lossy compression. It slightly "roughens" the image, discarding details the eye barely notices, which makes the file much lighter. It's ideal for photos, which contain millions of smooth color gradations.
PNG compresses without loss: the image is preserved pixel for pixel. That means PNG never loses quality, but it's noticeably heavier, especially for photos. In exchange, it can do something JPG can't — transparency (an alpha channel).
When to choose JPG
- Photos — phone snapshots, website photos, images you're sending someone. JPG gives you minimal file size with excellent quality.
- When file size matters — an email attachment, or uploading to a form with a size limit.
If you have a photo saved as PNG that's too large, converting it to JPG will shrink it several times over: PNG to JPG.
When to choose PNG
- Logos, icons, diagrams — anything with sharp lines and flat colors. JPG creates "mush" around the edges of such images, while PNG stays perfectly crisp.
- Screenshots — text and interface elements stay sharp and readable in PNG.
- Transparent backgrounds — when you need to overlay an image on another one without a white rectangle around it. Only PNG can do that.
If you need transparency but your image arrived as a JPG, converting it to PNG won't restore transparency that isn't there, but it does let you keep working with a lossless format: JPG to PNG.
Quick summary: what to choose
| Task | Format |
|---|---|
| Photo | JPG |
| Logo, icon | PNG |
| Screenshot | PNG |
| Need transparency | PNG |
| Need the smallest file | JPG |
What about WebP
There's also a third option — WebP: it's lighter than both JPG and PNG at comparable quality, and it also supports transparency. The downside is that it's still not supported by every app. WebP is great for the web; for compatibility, classic JPG and PNG remain the safer bet.
You can convert an image between any of these formats using the image converter — upload a file, choose the format, and download the result. Files are deleted right after processing.