JPG vs PNG vs WebP: which image format should you use?
JPG, PNG and WebP are the three image formats you'll meet most often. They can look the same on screen, but they behave very differently when it comes to file size and quality. Picking the right one makes your images load faster and look better.
At a glance
| JPG | PNG | WebP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Photos | Logos, screenshots, graphics | Photos and graphics on the web |
| File size | Small | Large for photos | Smallest |
| Transparent background | No | Yes | Yes |
| Loses detail when saved | Yes, a little | No | Optional |
| Works everywhere | Yes | Yes | Modern browsers and most apps |
JPG (or JPEG)
JPG is the standard format for photos. It makes small files by removing tiny details your eyes don't notice. That makes it great for camera photos, but less good for text and sharp lines, which can get fuzzy edges. JPG cannot have a transparent background. If you need a photo to work on every device, app and printer, JPG is the safe choice.
PNG
PNG keeps every pixel exactly as it is, so it never adds blur. It supports transparent backgrounds, which makes it the best choice for logos, icons, screenshots and graphics with text. The downside: photos saved as PNG are often several times bigger than the same photo as JPG.
WebP
WebP was made for the web. It can make files noticeably smaller than JPG at the same visual quality, and it also supports transparency like PNG. All modern browsers support it, which makes it a great choice for websites. A few older programs and some upload forms still don't accept WebP, so keep a JPG copy if you're unsure.
Which one should I pick?
- Posting a photo on social media or sending it to a friend: JPG.
- Logo, icon or anything with a transparent background: PNG (or WebP for websites).
- Screenshot with text: PNG.
- Images for your own website: WebP, for the fastest pages.
- A form says "JPG only": JPG.
How to convert between formats
- Open the Convert tool.
- Choose your file. Postora detects its format.
- Pick the format you need, such as JPG, PNG, WebP, BMP, ICO or PDF.
- Download the converted file.
When you convert a transparent PNG to JPG, the transparent areas need a background color. Postora lets you choose it, so a logo doesn't end up on an unexpected black background.