JPG vs PNG: What's the Difference and When to Use Each
JPG and PNG are the two image formats almost everyone runs into, and they're built for opposite jobs. Confuse them and you either ship a needlessly huge file or a blurry one. The distinction comes down to two things: how they compress, and whether they support transparency.
Lossy vs. lossless
JPG is lossy: it discards some image detail to achieve small files, which is perfect for photographs where the loss is invisible. PNG is lossless: it keeps every pixel exactly, which is why it's larger but stays perfectly crisp. For a photo, JPG's trade is worth it; for a logo with sharp edges, PNG's precision is essential.
Transparency
- PNG supports transparency — backgrounds can be see-through.
- JPG cannot — it fills any transparent area with a solid color.
- If you need a cut-out or a logo on any background, you need PNG.
A simple rule
Use JPG for photographs and anything where small file size matters. Use PNG for logos, icons, screenshots of text, diagrams, and anything needing transparency. And remember the choice isn't permanent — you can convert between them, and compress the result, whenever your needs change.
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Convert between formats nowFrequently asked questions
Which is better, JPG or PNG?+
Neither — they're for different jobs. JPG is better for photos and small files; PNG is better for graphics, text, and transparency.
Does PNG always look better than JPG?+
PNG is lossless so it's sharper for graphics, but for photographs the difference is invisible while the file is much bigger. Use JPG for photos.
Can I convert PNG to JPG and back?+
Yes, though converting to JPG applies lossy compression and drops transparency. Converting to PNG preserves whatever quality the source had.