JPEG vs PNG vs WebP: Which Image Format Should You Use?
Updated July 2026 · KeepClip
JPEG, PNG, WebP — the three image formats you meet constantly, usually without anyone explaining the difference. Pick the wrong one and you end up with files that are needlessly huge, or images that look washed out, or transparent backgrounds that turn white.
Here is the simple, no-jargon version of what each is for and how to choose.
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Step by step
- 1
Photo? Use JPEG or WebP
Photographs compress beautifully in JPEG and WebP. WebP is smaller; JPEG is more universally supported.
- 2
Need transparency? Use PNG (or WebP)
Logos, icons and cut-outs with see-through backgrounds need PNG or WebP — JPEG cannot do transparency.
- 3
Want the smallest file? Use WebP
For the web, WebP beats both — about 25–30% smaller than JPEG at the same quality.
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JPEG — the everyday photo format
JPEG (or JPG) is the format almost every camera and phone uses for photos. It uses "lossy" compression — it throws away detail your eye is unlikely to notice in exchange for dramatically smaller files. That makes it perfect for photographs, where a tiny loss of detail is invisible but the size saving is huge.
Its weakness: JPEG cannot store transparency, and it handles sharp edges and flat colour (like text or logos) poorly, producing fuzzy "artefacts" around them. Never save a screenshot or logo as JPEG.
PNG — for transparency and sharp graphics
PNG uses "lossless" compression — it keeps every pixel exactly, and it supports transparent backgrounds. That makes it the right choice for logos, icons, illustrations, and screenshots with crisp text.
The downside is size: for a photograph, a PNG can be five to ten times larger than the equivalent JPEG for no visible benefit. Using PNG for photos is the single most common cause of oversized images.
WebP — the modern all-rounder
WebP is the newer format built for the web. It can do both lossy compression (like JPEG) and lossless with transparency (like PNG), and it produces smaller files than either — typically 25–30% smaller than JPEG at the same visual quality.
Every modern browser now supports WebP, so for websites it is usually the best default. The only time to avoid it is when a file needs to open in older desktop software that predates WebP support — then fall back to JPEG or PNG.
Quick decision guide
- A photo for the web → WebP (or JPEG for maximum compatibility).
- A logo, icon or anything with a transparent background → PNG or WebP.
- A screenshot with text → PNG (or WebP lossless).
- An email attachment or upload with a size limit → compress to JPEG or WebP.
- Print or archival master → keep the original; export copies as needed.
Whichever you choose, compress it
Format is only half the story — a WebP or JPEG straight out of a phone is still often several megabytes. Running it through a compressor before you upload or send keeps pages fast and fits upload limits. Our free image compressor lets you convert between JPEG, PNG and WebP and compress in one step, entirely in your browser.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the smallest file size?+
WebP, in almost all cases — around 25–30% smaller than JPEG at the same quality, and smaller than PNG for graphics.
Which keeps the best quality?+
PNG is lossless (perfect pixels) but large. For photos, high-quality JPEG or WebP look identical to the eye at a fraction of the size.
Can I convert between them?+
Yes. Our image compressor converts between JPEG, PNG and WebP while compressing, right in your browser.
Why did my transparent logo turn white?+
You saved it as JPEG, which does not support transparency and fills the background with white. Use PNG or WebP instead.
Is WebP safe to use now?+
Yes — every current browser supports it. Only very old desktop software may struggle, in which case use JPEG or PNG.