Format guides
JPG vs PNG: which format should you use?
5 min read
JPG and PNG solve different problems. Choosing correctly is usually the difference between a 200 KB image and a 3 MB one — or between crisp interface text and a blurry mess.
The core difference
JPG uses lossy compression: it discards information the eye is unlikely to notice, which is extremely efficient for photographs with smooth gradients. PNG is lossless: every pixel is reconstructed exactly, which is essential for sharp edges, flat colour and transparency.
Use JPG when
- The image is a photograph.
- File size matters more than pixel-perfect accuracy.
- You do not need transparency.
Use PNG when
- The image contains text, line art, or a user-interface screenshot.
- You need a transparent background.
- The file will be edited and re-saved repeatedly.
Why repeated JPG saves degrade an image
Every JPG save re-applies lossy compression to an already compressed image. After a handful of edit-and-save cycles, edges develop halos and flat areas develop blocks. Work in PNG while editing and export to JPG once, at the end.
And what about WebP?
WebP supports both lossy and lossless modes plus transparency, and typically beats both formats on size. For images destined for a website it is usually the better choice; keep JPG or PNG for files that need to open in older desktop software.
Frequently asked questions
Does converting JPG to PNG improve quality?
No. Artefacts already baked into the JPG remain. PNG only prevents further loss.
Which format is better for screenshots?
PNG. Screenshot text has hard edges, which JPG compression smears.
Which is better for a website?
WebP where supported, otherwise JPG for photos and PNG for graphics with transparency.
Photographs go to JPG, graphics and transparency go to PNG, and anything web-facing is worth testing as WebP.