JPG vs PNG — which image format should you use for your website
JPG and PNG serve different purposes. Choosing the right format affects file size, quality, and website performance. Here is how to decide.
The key difference between JPG and PNG
JPG (JPEG) uses lossy compression — it permanently removes some image data to reduce file size. PNG uses lossless compression — it reduces file size without losing any image data. This fundamental difference determines which format is right for different use cases.
When to use JPG
- Photographs and realistic images with many colors and gradients
- Social media cover photos and profile pictures
- Blog post header images
- Product photography
- Any image where a slightly lower quality is acceptable for much smaller file size
When to use PNG
- Images that require a transparent background (logos, icons)
- Screenshots with text that needs to remain sharp
- Graphics with sharp edges, flat colors, and text overlays
- Images that will be edited and saved multiple times
- Icons and UI elements
File size comparison
A photograph saved as PNG is typically 3–5× larger than the same image as JPG at 80% quality with barely any visible difference. A logo with transparency must be PNG; saving it as JPG removes the transparency and adds a white background.
What about WebP
WebP is a modern format that offers better compression than both JPG and PNG. It supports both lossy and lossless modes and transparency. All modern browsers support WebP. If your website builder or CMS supports WebP, it is worth using for the best performance.
Convert your images between formats using the PNG to JPG Converter or JPG to PNG Converter on Smartweb.tools.