The format you save an image in decides how big the file is, whether it can be transparent and how it looks after editing. Most people only need to know which of three formats to pick for which job.
The short answer
| Format | Best for | Transparency | Compression |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPG | Photographs | No | Lossy: small files, some detail lost |
| PNG | Logos, screenshots, graphics with text | Yes | Lossless: sharp, larger files |
| WebP | Almost anything on the web | Yes | Lossy or lossless, usually smaller than both |
JPG: photos and forms
JPG (or JPEG) throws away detail the eye barely notices, which makes photos far smaller than PNG. Quality is a trade-off: around 75–85% looks nearly identical for most pictures. Each time you re-save a JPG at lower quality, more detail is lost, so keep an original. JPG is also what most exam and government forms ask for, often with a size limit; see the guide to resizing photos for forms.
PNG: sharp edges and transparency
PNG keeps every pixel exactly, so text, lines and logos stay crisp, and it supports transparent backgrounds. The price is size: a photo saved as PNG can be five to ten times bigger than the same photo as JPG. Use PNG for logos, icons, screenshots and anything you will edit again.
WebP: the modern default for the web
WebP can do what both JPG and PNG do, usually at a smaller size, and all current browsers support it. For a website, converting photos and graphics to WebP is one of the easiest ways to make pages load faster. Some older apps, print shops and upload forms still refuse WebP, so convert back to JPG or PNG when needed.
Convert between JPG, PNG and WebP and see the size before you save.Open Image Converter →Which one should I use?
- Photo for email, WhatsApp or a form: JPG.
- Logo or icon with a transparent background: PNG (or WebP).
- Screenshot with text: PNG.
- Images on your own website: WebP, with JPG as a fallback if you must support very old software.
Making files smaller without a visible drop
- Resize first. A 4000-pixel photo shown at 800 pixels wastes most of its bytes. Use the Image Resizer.
- Then compress. The Image Compressor shows the result before you download.
- Choose the right format as above.
Frequently asked questions
Does converting PNG to JPG lose quality?
Yes, a little, and transparency is replaced by a solid colour (usually white). Keep the PNG if you may need the transparency again.
Is WebP better than JPG?
For file size, usually yes, often 25–35% smaller at similar quality. For compatibility with every app and printer, JPG is still safer.