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

You're about to save an image and suddenly you're faced with a choice that seems simple but somehow isn't: PNG or JPG? If you've ever clicked one at random and hoped for the best, you're not alone. This age-old format showdown has confused designers, developers, and casual users alike since the '90s.

Here's the short answer: JPG is ideal for photographs, while PNG excels at graphics with sharp edges, text, and transparency. But the real world is messier than that, and knowing why these formats behave differently will save you from blurry logos, bloated file sizes, and countless re-exports.

In this guide, we'll break down exactly when to use each format, show you the technical differences that actually matter, and help you make confident decisions every time you hit "Save As."

Quick Comparison: PNG vs JPG at a Glance

Before we dive deep, here's the executive summary. Think of this as your cheat sheet:

What is PNG? The Lossless Champion

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) was created in 1996 as a patent-free alternative to the GIF format - and boy, did it deliver. Unlike its predecessor, PNG supports millions of colors and full transparency, making it the go-to format for everything from website logos to game assets.

How PNG Compression Works

PNG uses lossless compression, which is like vacuum-packing your sweater for storage. When you unpack it, every fiber is exactly where it was before. The compression algorithm (called DEFLATE) finds patterns in your image data and represents them more efficiently, but nothing gets thrown away.

This makes PNG perfect when you need to:

• Preserve every pixel exactly (screenshots, diagrams)
• Edit and re-save repeatedly without degradation
• Use transparent backgrounds
• Display text or sharp geometric shapes

PNG-8 vs PNG-24 vs PNG-32

Not all PNGs are created equal. Here's what those numbers actually mean:

When you export a PNG with transparency in most software, you're actually creating a PNG-32 file, even if it's not labeled as such.

What is JPG/JPEG? The Compression King

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) launched in 1992 and quickly became the dominant format for digital photography. Why? Because it could shrink a 10MB photo down to 500KB while still looking pretty darn good to the human eye.

How JPEG Compression Works

JPEG uses lossy compression, which works more like writing a summary of a novel. You capture the main ideas but lose some details in the process. The algorithm analyzes your image, identifies information the human eye won't really miss, and discards it.

This sounds scary, but it's actually brilliant for photographs. Our eyes are much more sensitive to changes in brightness than to slight color variations, so JPEG prioritizes what matters most visually.

The trade-off? Every time you save a JPEG, you lose a tiny bit more quality. It's like photocopying a photocopy - the degradation compounds. That's why smart compression strategies matter.

JPEG Quality Levels Explained

When you save a JPEG, you usually see a quality slider from 0-100. Here's what those numbers actually mean in practice:

For most web use, 80-85 quality hits the sweet spot between file size and visual quality. You can compress JPG images to find your perfect balance.

When to Use PNG: The Definitive List

PNG isn't always the right choice, but when it is, nothing else comes close. Use PNG for:

1. Logos and Brand Assets

Your logo needs to look crisp at any size, from a 16x16 favicon to a billboard. PNG preserves those clean edges and, crucially, lets you use transparent backgrounds so your logo can sit on any color without a white box around it.

Pro tip: Create your logo as an SVG and convert to PNG at various sizes for the best of both worlds.

2. Screenshots and UI Elements

Screenshots contain text, icons, and sharp interface elements - exactly the things JPEG mangles with compression artifacts. PNG captures every pixel exactly as it appears on screen.

3. Graphics with Transparency

Need a product image floating on a background? An icon overlay? Any design where you can see through parts of the image? PNG is your only mainstream option for true transparency.

4. Text-Heavy Images

Infographics, charts, diagrams, and any image with readable text should be PNG. JPEG compression creates visible "ringing" artifacts around high-contrast edges like text, making it look fuzzy.

5. Images You'll Edit Repeatedly

Working on a design that's going through multiple revisions? Keep your working files as PNG (or the native format of your editor). Only convert to JPEG when you're ready for final delivery.

When to Use JPG: The Definitive List

JPEG has been the king of photography for over 30 years for good reason. Use it for:

1. Photographs - All of Them

Digital photos, scanned images, any "real world" imagery with gradual color transitions and natural textures. JPEG's compression algorithm was literally designed for this use case.

2. Web Images Where Size Matters

Need to load 50 product photos on an e-commerce page? JPEG's smaller file sizes mean faster loading, better SEO, and happier users on slow connections.

3. Social Media Posts

Most social platforms re-compress your uploads anyway. Starting with a well-optimized JPEG gives you more control over the final result than uploading a massive PNG that gets butchered by their algorithms.

4. Email Attachments

Nobody wants to download a 15MB PNG when a 500KB JPEG looks virtually identical. Be kind to inboxes.

5. Backgrounds and Textures

Large background images, texture overlays, and decorative elements that don't need transparency benefit from JPEG's efficient compression.

Real-World File Size Comparison

Theory is nice, but let's look at actual numbers. Here's what happens when you save the same image in different formats:

Notice how the "winner" depends entirely on the content. For photos, JPEG dominates. For graphics, PNG often produces smaller files AND better quality - transparency is just a bonus.

Converting Between PNG and JPG: Best Practices

Sometimes you need to convert between formats. Here's how to do it without making a mess:

PNG to JPG Conversion

1. Check for transparency first. If your PNG has transparent areas, you'll need to choose a background color (usually white) before converting.
2. Choose your quality wisely. 80-85% is usually the sweet spot for web images. Go higher for prints or archival.
3. Keep the original. JPEG conversion is one-way - you can't get the original quality back. Always save your PNG source file.

Use our PNG to JPG converter to handle transparency automatically and choose your quality level.

JPG to PNG Conversion

1. Understand the limitations. Converting to PNG won't restore quality lost to JPEG compression. You'll just have a larger file with the same visual quality.
2. Do it for editing flexibility. Converting to PNG before editing prevents additional compression loss from multiple JPEG saves.
3. Add transparency if needed. Once it's a PNG, you can use tools to remove backgrounds and add transparency.

Our JPG to PNG converter makes the process instant and preserves your image dimensions perfectly.

Modern Alternatives: WebP, AVIF, and Beyond

PNG and JPEG have been around for decades. Newer formats offer significant improvements - if you can use them:

WebP: The Best of Both Worlds

Developed by Google, WebP supports both lossy and lossless compression, plus transparency. It typically produces files 25-35% smaller than equivalent JPEG or PNG files.

The catch? While browser support is now excellent (96%+ globally), some older software and email clients don't recognize WebP files. Keep a JPEG/PNG fallback handy.

Try our PNG to WebP and JPG to WebP converters to see the difference.

AVIF: The New Contender

AVIF offers even better compression than WebP - sometimes 50% smaller than JPEG with comparable quality. It supports HDR, wide color gamuts, and transparency.

The catch? Encoding is slower, and browser support, while growing rapidly, isn't universal yet. Perfect for progressive enhancement.

Explore our AVIF conversion tools to future-proof your images.

Should You Switch?

For websites, yes - with fallbacks. Serve WebP/AVIF to browsers that support them, and PNG/JPEG to everyone else. For documents, emails, and general sharing, stick with the classics until the new formats achieve truly universal support.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

After years of helping people with image conversions, we've seen these mistakes thousands of times:

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

Choosing between PNG and JPG doesn't have to be complicated:

• Photos → JPEG (smaller files, designed for photography)
• Graphics, logos, screenshots → PNG (crisp edges, transparency)
• Not sure? → PNG (you can always convert to JPEG later)

The real skill isn't memorizing rules - it's understanding why each format excels at what it does. Lossy vs. lossless compression, transparency support, and color handling all play a role. Now that you understand the fundamentals, you'll make the right choice instinctively.

And when you need to convert between formats, resize images, or optimize for web performance, we've got you covered: