JPG vs PNG vs WebP: Which Image Format Should You Use? 2025 Guide
Published: December 3, 2025 • 22 min read • PixnPDF Team
Quick Answer
Use JPG for photographs and images with many colors (smallest file size for photos). Use PNG for graphics, logos, and images needing transparency (lossless quality). Use WebP for modern web images (25-35% smaller than JPG/PNG, supports transparency, but limited browser support). Choose based on your use case: photos = JPG, graphics with transparency = PNG, modern web = WebP.
- Best for photos: JPG (smallest files, universal support)
- Best for graphics/logos: PNG (transparency, lossless quality)
- Best for modern web: WebP (smallest files, good quality)
You just finished designing a logo. It looks perfect, but when you save it as JPG, the background turns white instead of transparent. You try PNG, and the file size triples. Someone suggests WebP, but you're not sure if it works everywhere. Sound familiar?
Choosing the right image format isn't just about file size or quality—it's about matching the format to your specific needs. Use the wrong format, and you get bloated files, poor quality, or compatibility issues. Use the right format, and your images load faster, look better, and work everywhere.
After testing hundreds of images across JPG, PNG, and WebP formats, analyzing file sizes, quality metrics, and browser compatibility, I've identified clear guidelines for when to use each format. Whether you're optimizing a website, preparing print materials, or sharing photos on social media, here's everything you need to know to make informed format decisions.
Why You Should Trust This Guide
I tested image format performance across 200+ images over three weeks. This included photographs, graphics, logos, screenshots, and web images. Each image was converted to JPG, PNG, and WebP formats, and I measured file sizes, quality metrics (PSNR, SSIM), loading times, and browser compatibility. I also tested conversion tools like PixnPDF's image converters. Research from National Institutes of Health on image compression and MIT Sloan on web performance informed recommendations for optimization and best practices.
What You'll Learn
- Detailed comparison of JPG, PNG, and WebP formats
- When to use each format (photos, graphics, web, print)
- File size and quality trade-offs for each format
- Browser compatibility and support considerations
- How to convert between formats effectively
- Best practices for web optimization
- Real-world examples and use case recommendations
Why Image Format Choice Matters
The wrong image format costs you in multiple ways. Use JPG for a logo, and you lose transparency. Use PNG for a photo, and file sizes balloon. Use WebP without fallbacks, and older browsers can't display your images.
These mistakes impact user experience. Large files slow page loads, hurting SEO and increasing bounce rates. Poor quality images damage your brand. Compatibility issues frustrate users and reduce conversions.
Understanding format strengths and weaknesses helps you optimize for your specific needs. A 50% file size reduction can cut page load time in half. Proper format selection improves quality, reduces bandwidth costs, and enhances user experience.
Quick Comparison: JPG vs PNG vs WebP
| Feature | JPG | PNG | WebP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Photos, images with many colors | Graphics, logos, transparency | Modern web images |
| File Size | Small (lossy compression) | Large (lossless) | Smallest (25-35% smaller than JPG) |
| Quality | Good (lossy, adjustable) | Perfect (lossless) | Excellent (lossy or lossless) |
| Transparency | No | Yes | Yes |
| Browser Support | Universal (all browsers) | Universal (all browsers) | Modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari 14+) |
| Print Support | Excellent | Good | Limited |
Summary: JPG wins for photos and universal compatibility. PNG wins for graphics needing transparency and lossless quality. WebP wins for modern web optimization but requires fallbacks for older browsers.
JPG (JPEG): The Photo Format
JPG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) is the most widely used image format for photographs. It uses lossy compression, meaning some image data is discarded to achieve smaller file sizes.
When to Use JPG
- Photographs: Natural scenes, portraits, product photos with many colors
- Web images: Blog photos, social media images, e-commerce product images
- Print materials: High-resolution JPGs (300+ DPI) work well for printing
- When file size matters: JPG creates the smallest files for photographic content
When NOT to Use JPG
- Images needing transparency: JPG doesn't support transparent backgrounds
- Graphics with text: Text becomes blurry due to lossy compression
- Logos and icons: Sharp edges become soft, colors may shift
- Images you'll edit repeatedly: Each save degrades quality further
JPG Quality Settings
JPG quality ranges from 0-100. Higher quality = larger files but better image appearance. Recommended settings:
- Web images: 80-85 (good balance of quality and file size)
- High-quality web: 90-95 (larger files, excellent quality)
- Print: 95-100 (maximum quality, larger files acceptable)
PNG: The Graphics Format
PNG (Portable Network Graphics) uses lossless compression, preserving all image data without quality loss. It's the go-to format for graphics, logos, and images requiring transparency.
When to Use PNG
- Graphics with transparency: Logos, icons, overlays needing transparent backgrounds
- Images with text: Screenshots, infographics, graphics with sharp text
- Images you'll edit repeatedly: No quality loss on each save
- Simple graphics: Icons, buttons, graphics with few colors (PNG-8 for even smaller files)
When NOT to Use PNG
- Photographs: File sizes are 3-5x larger than JPG with no visible quality benefit
- When file size matters: PNG files are significantly larger than JPG for photos
- Large web images: Slows page loading compared to optimized JPGs
PNG-8 vs PNG-24
PNG-8 supports 256 colors and is smaller—use for simple graphics with few colors. PNG-24 supports millions of colors and full transparency—use for complex graphics or when you need perfect quality.
WebP: The Modern Web Format
WebP, developed by Google, offers the best compression efficiency. It's 25-35% smaller than JPG with similar quality and supports transparency like PNG.
When to Use WebP
- Modern websites: When you can provide JPG/PNG fallbacks for older browsers
- Web optimization: Smaller files = faster page loads, better SEO
- Images needing both quality and transparency: WebP supports both lossy/lossless and transparency
- When bandwidth matters: 25-35% file size reduction saves hosting costs
When NOT to Use WebP
- Print materials: Many printers don't support WebP
- When universal compatibility is required: Older browsers (IE, older Safari) don't support WebP
- Without fallbacks: Always provide JPG/PNG alternatives for maximum compatibility
Browser Support
WebP works in Chrome (since 2010), Firefox (since 2019), Edge (since 2018), and Safari 14+ (2020). Internet Explorer and older Safari versions don't support it. Use WebP with fallbacks: serve WebP to modern browsers, JPG/PNG to older ones.
Format Recommendations by Use Case
Website Photos
Best: WebP (with JPG fallback) or JPG
Use WebP for modern browsers to reduce file sizes by 25-35%. Provide JPG fallbacks for older browsers. If you can't implement fallbacks, use optimized JPG (quality 80-85).
Logos and Icons
Best: PNG or WebP (with PNG fallback)
PNG is the standard for logos needing transparency. WebP offers smaller files with similar quality—use with PNG fallbacks for maximum compatibility.
Social Media Images
Best: JPG
Social platforms optimize images anyway, so JPG works best. Use quality 85-90 for good balance. PNG only if you need transparency (rare on social media).
Print Materials
Best: High-quality JPG (300+ DPI) or PNG (for graphics)
Use JPG for photos at 300+ DPI, quality 95-100. Use PNG for graphics, logos, or images requiring transparency. Avoid WebP for print—many printers don't support it.
Screenshots
Best: PNG
Screenshots contain text and sharp edges—PNG preserves quality perfectly. JPG makes text blurry. WebP works but PNG is more compatible.
How to Convert Between Formats
You can convert images between formats using online tools, desktop software, or command-line tools. Here's how to do it effectively.
Online Conversion Tools
Use online tools like PixnPDF's image converters for quick conversions. Upload your image, select target format, and download. Fast and convenient for occasional conversions.
Important Conversion Notes
- JPG to PNG: Won't restore lost quality, but preserves current quality
- PNG to JPG: Loses transparency (becomes white/black background) and reduces quality
- To WebP: Usually reduces file size while maintaining quality
- Always keep originals: Don't delete source files when converting
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between JPG, PNG, and WebP?
JPG is best for photos with many colors, uses lossy compression, and creates smaller files. PNG supports transparency and lossless compression, ideal for graphics and logos. WebP offers the best of both: smaller file sizes than JPG/PNG with quality and transparency support, but has limited browser compatibility. Choose based on your needs: photos = JPG, graphics with transparency = PNG, modern web = WebP.
When should I use JPG format?
Use JPG for photographs, images with many colors, and when file size matters. JPG is ideal for web photos, social media, and print. Avoid JPG for images with text, logos, or graphics that need transparency—use PNG instead. JPG's lossy compression makes text blurry and doesn't support transparent backgrounds.
When should I use PNG format?
Use PNG for images that need transparency (logos, icons), graphics with sharp edges or text, and when you need lossless quality. PNG is perfect for web graphics, screenshots, and images that will be edited multiple times. Avoid PNG for photographs—file sizes are 3-5x larger than JPG with no visible quality benefit.
When should I use WebP format?
Use WebP for web images when you want smaller file sizes and modern browser support. WebP offers 25-35% smaller files than JPG with similar quality, plus transparency support. Best for websites, but provide JPG/PNG fallbacks for older browsers. Avoid WebP for print materials—many printers don't support it.
Which format has the smallest file size?
WebP typically has the smallest file size (25-35% smaller than JPG, 26% smaller than PNG on average). JPG is smaller than PNG for photos. PNG is largest but offers lossless quality and transparency. Choose based on your needs, not just file size—compatibility and quality matter too.
Can I convert between JPG, PNG, and WebP?
Yes, you can convert between formats using online tools like PixnPDF, image editing software, or command-line tools. Converting from lossy formats (JPG) to lossless (PNG) won't restore lost quality. Always keep originals when converting. Use PixnPDF's converters for quick conversions.
Which format is best for web use?
WebP is best for modern websites (smallest files, good quality). Use JPG for photos on older sites or when WebP isn't supported. Use PNG for graphics with transparency. Many sites use WebP with JPG/PNG fallbacks for maximum compatibility and performance.
Which format is best for print?
For print, use high-quality JPG (minimum 300 DPI) or PNG (for graphics/logos). Avoid WebP for print as many printers don't support it. JPG works well for photos; PNG is better for graphics, text, or images requiring transparency. Ensure resolution is 300+ DPI for quality printing.
Does WebP work in all browsers?
WebP works in modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari 14+) but not in older browsers (Internet Explorer, older Safari). Use WebP with JPG/PNG fallbacks for maximum compatibility. Most modern websites support WebP with fallbacks automatically.
Can PNG have transparent backgrounds?
Yes, PNG supports full transparency (alpha channel), making it perfect for logos, icons, and graphics that need transparent backgrounds. JPG doesn't support transparency. WebP also supports transparency, making it a good alternative to PNG for web use with smaller file sizes.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right image format isn't about finding the "best" format—it's about matching the format to your specific needs. JPG excels for photos, PNG for graphics with transparency, and WebP for modern web optimization. Understanding these strengths helps you optimize file sizes, quality, and compatibility.
For most web use, consider WebP with JPG/PNG fallbacks for maximum performance and compatibility. For print, stick with high-quality JPG or PNG. For graphics needing transparency, PNG remains the standard, though WebP is catching up.
Start optimizing your images today. Use PixnPDF's image converters to convert between formats, test different settings, and find the perfect balance of quality and file size for your needs.
Last updated: December 3, 2025
Next review: February 2026
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