Published January 15, 2025 · 7 min read
PNG vs JPG — When to Use Each Format
Choosing the wrong image format is one of the most common web performance mistakes. This guide explains the difference between PNG and JPG, when to use each, and why WEBP often beats both.
The core difference
- JPG is lossy — it permanently discards visual information to save space. Every save degrades quality.
- PNG is lossless — it preserves every pixel exactly. Files are larger but quality is perfect.
When to use JPG
- Photographs. JPG is designed for photos with smooth color gradients. A 4000×3000 photo saved as JPG is 10–20× smaller than the same photo saved as PNG.
- When file size matters. Web pages, email attachments, mobile apps.
- When transparency isn't needed. JPG does not support alpha channels.
When to use PNG
- Logos and icons. Sharp edges and solid colors look bad in JPG (compression artifacts around edges).
- Screenshots. JPG blurs text. PNG keeps it crisp.
- Any image with transparency. Only PNG supports alpha channels (among the two).
- Images that will be edited further. Every JPG save loses quality. PNG doesn't.
- Text-heavy images. Infographics, charts, diagrams.
When to use WEBP instead
WEBP is a modern format supported by every major browser since 2020. It:
- Supports both lossy and lossless modes
- Supports transparency (like PNG)
- Supports animation (like GIF)
- Is 25–35% smaller than JPG at the same quality
Use WEBP for any web image unless you specifically need JPG's older compatibility (email, some desktop software) or PNG's lossless guarantee.
Direct comparison
| Feature | JPG | PNG | WEBP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy | Lossless | Both |
| Transparency | No | Yes | Yes |
| Animation | No | No (APNG only) | Yes |
| Typical size (photo) | Smallest | Largest | Smallest |
| Text quality | Poor | Excellent | Excellent (lossless mode) |
| Browser support | 100% | 100% | 98%+ |
Real-world examples
E-commerce product photo
Use: JPG or WEBP. Photos compress dramatically with JPG. Use WEBP if you want the smallest file at the best quality.
Company logo
Use: PNG or SVG. Never JPG. Logos have hard edges that JPG destroys.
Website hero image
Use: WEBP. Smaller than JPG at the same visual quality, universal browser support.
Product photo with transparent background
Use: PNG or WEBP. JPG will make the background white.
Screenshot
Use: PNG. Text stays sharp. JPG blurs text.
Instagram post
Use: JPG. Instagram re-compresses to JPG anyway. Upload at quality 85.
What about WEBP support?
All modern browsers support WEBP. The only cases where you still need JPG or PNG:
- Email clients (some don't render WEBP)
- Older software (Office 2016, older Photoshop)
- Specific platform requirements (some marketplaces require JPG or PNG)
File size comparison
Same image (2000×2000 photo), same visual quality:
- PNG: 8 MB
- JPG (quality 85): 600 KB
- WEBP (quality 85): 420 KB
That's a 95% reduction from PNG to WEBP, with no visible quality difference for a photograph.
What about GIF?
GIF is outdated. Use it only for simple animations if you can't use WEBP or video. GIF supports 256 colors, making it terrible for photos.
What about SVG?
SVG is for vector graphics (logos, icons, illustrations). It's infinitely scalable and typically tiny in file size. Not suitable for photos.