JPG vs PNG – Complete Format Comparison
JPG and PNG are the two most common image formats. Choosing the wrong one costs you either file size or quality. Here's when each wins.
Quick comparison
| JPG | PNG | |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy | Lossless |
| Transparency | No | Yes (alpha channel) |
| Best for | Photos, gradients | Logos, text, screenshots, UI |
| Typical file size | Smaller | Larger |
| Browser support | Universal | Universal |
| Editing quality | Degrades on re-save | Perfect across edits |
Use JPG when
- The image is a photograph with natural gradients and textures
- File size matters and slight quality loss is acceptable
- Sharing via email, social media, or web delivery
- No transparency is needed
Use PNG when
- The image has transparency (logos on coloured backgrounds, icons, stickers)
- Sharp text, lines, or flat colours are present (screenshots, UI, diagrams)
- You'll re-edit and re-save the file multiple times
- Exact pixel fidelity is required (print production, design source files)
The transparency exception
This is the clearest decision point. If you need a transparent background — a logo placed on any colour, a product photo without a white box — PNG is mandatory. JPG cannot store transparency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PNG always better quality than JPG?
For photos, the difference at 85–90% JPG quality is usually invisible. PNG is only strictly better for sharp-edged content like text and logos.
Can I convert JPG to PNG to gain transparency?
Converting format doesn't create transparency. You need to remove the background first with a background remover tool, then export as PNG.
Which is better for SEO?
Neither directly. Page speed matters — use the smaller file for photographs (JPG/WebP) and PNG only where transparency or losslessness is needed.