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The short answerJPG: for photosPNG: for sharp graphicsWebP: the modern all-rounderConverting between themA rule of thumbThree file types cover almost every image you will meet online. They are not interchangeable: each is best at something, and picking the wrong one gives you blurry text or a file ten times too big.
The short answer
| Format | Best for | Transparency | File size |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPG | Photographs | No | Small |
| PNG | Screenshots, logos, text, anything with sharp edges | Yes | Large |
| WebP | Photos and graphics on websites | Yes | Smallest |
JPG: for photos
JPG throws away detail the eye does not notice, which is why photos shrink so well. The same trick damages sharp edges: text and thin lines get fuzzy halos. Every time you re-save a JPG you lose a little more, so keep your original.
PNG: for sharp graphics
PNG keeps every pixel exactly. It is the right choice for screenshots, logos, diagrams and anything where text must stay crisp, and it supports transparent backgrounds. The price is size: a PNG photo is often many times larger than the same JPG.
WebP: the modern all-rounder
WebP does both jobs in a smaller file and supports transparency. It works in all current browsers. Its weak point is compatibility with older software, some email programs and some upload forms that only accept JPG or PNG.
Converting between them
- A form rejects your file: convert to JPG with PNG to JPG or WebP to JPG.
- You need a transparent logo: go from JPG to PNG with JPG to PNG, though a JPG has no transparency to recover.
- You want the smallest website images: use JPG to WebP.
Image ConverterFree · runs in your browser · nothing is uploadedOpen tool
A rule of thumb
Photo with no transparency: JPG. Sharp graphic or screenshot: PNG. Website image where size matters: WebP. When a form says “JPG or PNG only”, give it what it asks for.