PNG vs JPG

PNG and JPG are the two most common image formats on the web, but they solve different problems. PNG uses lossless compression and supports transparency, making it ideal for graphics, logos, and screenshots. JPG (JPEG) uses lossy compression to produce far smaller files, which is perfect for photographs.

Quick answer

Use JPG for photographs and any image where small file size matters. Use PNG for logos, icons, screenshots, text-heavy graphics, and anything that needs a transparent background or sharp edges.

PNG vs JPG: side-by-side comparison

Attribute	PNG	JPG
Compression	Lossless (no quality loss)	Lossy (quality discarded to shrink size)
Transparency	Yes (alpha channel)	No
Best for	Logos, icons, screenshots, line art	Photographs, complex color scenes
Typical file size	Larger	Much smaller
Color depth	Up to 48-bit, 16M+ colors	24-bit, 16M colors
Animation	No (see APNG)	No
Re-saving	No degradation	Degrades each save (generation loss)

What is PNG and what is JPG?

PNG

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is a raster format built around lossless DEFLATE compression. Because no pixel data is thrown away, edges stay crisp and re-saving never degrades the image. Its standout feature is an 8-bit alpha channel for smooth, variable transparency — essential for logos and UI assets that sit on different backgrounds.

JPG

JPG (also written JPEG, after the Joint Photographic Experts Group) is a raster format that uses lossy DCT-based compression. It analyses blocks of pixels and discards detail the human eye is least likely to notice, achieving dramatic size reductions on photographic content. The trade-off is that each save introduces irreversible artifacts and there is no transparency support.

When to use which

Choose PNG

Choose PNG when you need transparency, when the image has sharp edges or text (screenshots, diagrams, logos), or when you will edit and re-save the file repeatedly and cannot tolerate quality loss.

Choose JPG

Choose JPG for photographs, hero banners, and gallery images where file size and fast loading matter more than pixel-perfect edges. Avoid JPG for line art or text — compression artifacts become obvious around hard edges.

Convert between these formats

Use our free, browser-based converters:

PNG to JPG converter JPG to PNG converter

Frequently asked questions

Is PNG better quality than JPG?

For graphics, logos, and screenshots, yes — PNG is lossless so it preserves sharp edges and text perfectly. For photographs, a high-quality JPG looks virtually identical to PNG at a fraction of the file size, so JPG is the more practical choice there.

Does converting JPG to PNG improve quality?

No. Converting a JPG to PNG cannot restore detail already lost during JPG compression. The PNG will simply be a larger, lossless copy of the already-degraded image.

Why is my PNG so much bigger than my JPG?

PNG stores every pixel without discarding data, so photographic content with millions of subtle color variations compresses poorly compared to JPG, which is purpose-built for photos.

Can PNG have a transparent background?

Yes. PNG supports a full alpha channel, allowing fully or partially transparent pixels. JPG has no transparency support at all.

Related comparisons

See all comparisons