JPG — the default for photographs
JPG (JPEG) uses lossy compression optimized for continuous-tone images — photos, gradients, and natural scenes. It excels at shrinking camera files while keeping skin tones and skies smooth.
JPG does not support transparency. It also struggles with sharp edges and flat color blocks, producing visible artifacts around text and logos. Never use JPG for screenshots or UI graphics if PNG or WebP is available.
Universal compatibility is JPG's biggest strength. Every device, email client, and print service accepts it. When in doubt about whether the recipient's system supports newer formats, JPG is the safe choice.
PNG — lossless clarity for graphics and transparency
PNG preserves every pixel exactly. That makes it ideal for logos, icons, diagrams, screenshots, and any image where sharp edges matter. It also supports full alpha transparency — soft shadows and cut-out objects with semi-transparent edges.
The trade-off is file size. A photograph saved as PNG is often five to ten times larger than the same image as JPG. PNG is the wrong tool for multi-megapixel camera photos on the web.
Use PNG when you need transparency or when the image contains text, line art, or large areas of flat color. Use JPG or WebP when the image is a photo without transparency requirements.
WebP — the modern web default
WebP supports both lossy and lossless compression plus transparency and animation. Google's format typically beats JPG by 25–35% at the same visual quality and beats PNG on file size for lossless graphics too.
Browser support in 2026 is universal on all major browsers and platforms. The main gap is older desktop software, some email clients, and legacy CMS workflows that only accept JPG or PNG uploads.
For new website projects, WebP should be your first choice for images served on the web. Keep JPG or PNG fallbacks only where compatibility requirements demand it.
Quick decision guide
Photo for web or social → WebP if the platform accepts it; otherwise JPG at 80–85% quality. Photo for email or unknown recipients → JPG. Logo, icon, or screenshot → PNG or WebP lossless. Image needing transparent background → PNG or WebP.
When migrating an existing site, convert JPG hero images to WebP first — that is where the biggest bandwidth savings live. Leave PNG UI assets as PNG or convert to WebP lossless if your build pipeline supports it.
If a platform lists accepted formats, follow that list. No format advantage matters if the upload rejects the file.
- Photographs → JPG or WebP lossy
- Logos and screenshots → PNG or WebP lossless
- Transparent backgrounds → PNG or WebP
- Maximum compatibility → JPG
Convert between formats on Irreva
The Irreva Image Converter handles JPG, PNG, and WebP in your browser with no upload. Convert a PNG screenshot to JPG for email, export a photo as WebP for your site, or switch WebP back to JPG for a client who cannot open newer formats.
Dedicated tools like PNG to JPG, JPG to WebP, and WebP to PNG are also available for batch workflows. Everything runs locally — your files never leave your device.
Open the Image Converter, drop in your file, pick the output format, and download. Pick the format that matches your use case using the rules above, not habit.