JPG vs PNG vs WebP: Which Image Format Should You Use?
Updated 7 November 2026 · 6 min read
A plain-English comparison of JPG, PNG and WebP — quality, file size, transparency and where each format works best.
The short answer
Use JPG for photographs, PNG for screenshots, logos and anything with sharp text or transparency, and WebP for images on websites when you want the smallest files. Most forms and portals still ask for JPG, so keep a JPG copy of important photos and documents.
JPG (JPEG): best for photos
JPG uses lossy compression: it throws away detail the eye hardly notices, which makes photos small. A 12-megapixel phone photo saved as a high-quality JPG is usually 2–5 MB, and can be reduced to a few hundred KB with little visible change.
The downside is that every time you edit and re-save a JPG, it loses a little more quality. JPG also cannot store transparency, so logos with see-through backgrounds get a solid colour behind them.
PNG: best for sharp edges and transparency
PNG is lossless, so every pixel stays exactly as it was. That makes it perfect for screenshots, diagrams, charts, logos and text, where JPG compression would create blurry halos around letters.
PNG files of photographs are large — often three to five times the size of a JPG — so avoid PNG for camera photos unless you specifically need transparency.
WebP: best for websites
WebP was designed for the web. It supports both lossy and lossless compression and transparency, and is typically 25–35% smaller than JPG at the same visual quality. All modern browsers display WebP.
Some older software, government portals and print shops don't accept WebP yet. If an upload fails, convert the file to JPG or PNG.
Quick comparison
Use this list when you are unsure:
- Photo for a form or email → JPG
- Screenshot or document with text → PNG
- Logo with a transparent background → PNG (or WebP for websites)
- Images on your own website or blog → WebP
- Printing → high-quality JPG or PNG
Common mistakes
Converting a JPG to PNG does not bring back lost detail — it only makes the file bigger. Converting a transparent PNG to JPG fills the transparent area with a colour, so choose white or the colour of the page it will sit on. And always keep your original file, because each lossy conversion loses a little quality.