JPG vs PNG vs WebP: Which Image Format Should You Use?
Every image you save has a format, and the choice changes the file size, the sharpness and whether transparency survives. JPG, PNG and WebP are the three formats most people meet every day. This guide explains what each one is good at, gives a simple rule for choosing and shows how to convert between them safely.
JPG (JPEG)
JPG is a lossy format, which means it saves space by discarding some detail that the eye is unlikely to notice. It is excellent for photographs, which have smooth colour changes, and nearly every device, website and form accepts it. Its limits are that it cannot store transparency, and repeated saving at a low quality setting makes the picture look blocky or blurry. It is the usual choice for upload forms that ask for a photo.
PNG
PNG is lossless: it keeps every pixel exactly. It supports transparency, which is why logos and icons with see-through backgrounds use it, and it keeps text and sharp edges crisp, so it suits screenshots, diagrams and charts. The downside is file size. A photograph saved as PNG can be many times larger than the same picture as JPG.
WebP
WebP is a modern format that can work either way, lossy or lossless, and it supports transparency. It often produces smaller files than JPG or PNG at similar visual quality, which helps web pages load faster. Current browsers and most recent apps open it. The catch is compatibility: some older software and some upload forms accept only JPG or PNG, so you may need to convert a WebP file before using it.
Quick comparison
| JPG | PNG | WebP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy | Lossless | Lossy or lossless |
| Transparency | No | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Photos | Logos, screenshots, text | Web images where size matters |
| File size for photos | Small | Large | Often smallest |
| Compatibility | Almost universal | Almost universal | Very good, not total |
How to choose
- Uploading a photo or signature to a form: JPG, unless the form says otherwise.
- Logo or icon with a transparent background: PNG, or WebP if the destination supports it.
- Screenshot with text: PNG keeps the text sharp.
- Photos for a website: WebP, or JPG for maximum compatibility.
- Sending in a chat or email: JPG is usually the safest and smallest choice for photos.
Converting between formats
The Image Converter changes a JPG, PNG or WebP image (up to 25 MB) into another of the three formats in your browser. It keeps the original width and height. Some things to know:
- Converting to JPG replaces transparent areas with white, and the quality slider (40% to 100%, starting at 92%) controls the size and detail.
- Converting a JPG to PNG does not bring back detail that JPG already discarded. It stores the same picture in a larger file.
- Extra data in the original, such as camera details, is not carried over, and an animated WebP becomes a still image.
- HEIC photos from some phones are not supported. Save or export them as JPG first.
Making the file smaller
If the goal is a smaller file, converting alone may not be enough. Reduce the pixel dimensions with the Image Resizer first, since fewer pixels mean far less data, then use the Exact KB Image Compressor to reach a target such as 50 KB. Our guide to compressing a photo or signature for forms walks through the steps.
Frequently asked questions
Is WebP better than JPG?
It is often smaller for the same visual quality, but JPG is accepted almost everywhere. Choose based on where the file will be used.
Why does my PNG have a white background after conversion?
JPG cannot hold transparency, so the converter fills transparent areas with white. Convert to PNG or WebP to keep transparency.
Does converting PNG to JPG reduce quality?
Yes, a little, depending on the quality setting. Higher settings keep more detail.
Will converting change the image size in pixels?
No. The converter keeps the same width and height. Use the Image Resizer to change them.
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