JPG vs PNG vs WebP: Which Image Format Should You Use?

Use JPG for photos you send or upload, PNG for logos, screenshots and anything with transparency, and WebP for images on websites. Convert between them in seconds with PNG to JPG, JPG to PNG and WebP to PNG: drop your files, press Convert and download. All of them run in your browser.

The short comparison

Format	Compression	Transparency	Best for	Opens everywhere?
JPG	Lossy	No	Photos to share, upload or print	Yes
PNG	Lossless	Yes	Logos, screenshots, text, graphics	Yes
WebP	Lossy or lossless	Yes	Website images	Browsers, most new apps
AVIF	Lossy or lossless	Yes	Smallest web images	Recent browsers only
HEIC	Lossy	Yes	iPhone photo storage	Apple devices; limited elsewhere
GIF	Lossless, 256 colours	Basic	Simple animations	Yes

What's the difference between lossy and lossless?

Lossy formats (JPG, and WebP or AVIF in lossy mode) throw away detail your eyes are unlikely to notice. Files become much smaller, but every save loses a little more.

Lossless formats (PNG, and WebP in lossless mode) keep every pixel exactly. They're perfect copies, but photos stay large.

That's why the same holiday photo might be 400 KB as JPG and 3 MB as PNG with no visible difference.

When should I use JPG?

• Sending photos by email or messaging
• Upload forms, which often accept only JPG
• Printing
• Anything that must open on old computers

Convert screenshots of photos and huge PNG photos with PNG to JPG to make them several times smaller. Transparent areas are filled with white or a colour you choose.

When should I use PNG?

• Logos and icons, especially with a transparent background
• Screenshots with text, where JPG would blur letters
• Diagrams, charts and illustrations with flat colours
• Images you'll keep editing, so they don't lose quality each save

Use JPG to PNG when a design app or print shop asks for PNG. It won't bring back detail the JPG lost, but it stops further loss.

When should I use WebP or AVIF?

On websites. Smaller images make pages load faster, which helps visitors and search rankings. WebP is safe for all modern browsers; AVIF can be even smaller but needs recent browser versions.

If you've downloaded WebP or AVIF images and need to edit or share them, convert them with WebP to JPG, WebP to PNG or AVIF to JPG. See how to convert WebP to JPG and what AVIF is for details.

What about iPhone HEIC photos?

HEIC is great for saving space on your phone, but many computers and forms can't open it. Convert with HEIC to JPG. Our HEIC to JPG guide explains how to stop your iPhone using HEIC if you prefer.

Which format gives the smallest file?

Roughly, from smallest to largest for the same photo: AVIF, WebP, HEIC, JPG, then PNG. But size isn't everything: a format nobody can open is useless. For files you send to other people, JPG is still the safest choice.

Quick decision guide

• It's a photo and someone else will open it: JPG.
• It has text, sharp lines or a transparent background: PNG.
• It goes on your own website: WebP (or AVIF).
• It must be under a size limit: JPG, compressed with Compress to Exact KB.

Are my files uploaded when I convert them?

No. Every converter on this site uses your browser's own image engine. Files never leave your device, and there's no sign-up or watermark.

Pick the converter you need: PNG to JPG, JPG to PNG or WebP to PNG.