JPG vs PNG: What's the Difference and Which Should You Use?

JPG vs PNG for photos

For photographs, JPG is usually the more practical format. Photo images contain continuous color changes and complex detail, and JPG compression is designed to reduce that data efficiently. A well-encoded JPG can look very good while using much less storage than a PNG version of the same photograph.

PNG can store the decoded pixels without lossy compression, but that does not automatically make it the better photo format. A photographic PNG may be several times larger than a JPG while offering little visible benefit for normal sharing or web use.

JPG vs PNG for screenshots, logos, and text

PNG is usually better for screenshots, diagrams, logos, interface graphics, and images containing text. These images often have large areas of flat color and sharp boundaries. PNG preserves those edges without the blockiness or ringing artifacts that can appear after aggressive JPG compression.

If a screenshot needs to stay crisp for documentation or editing, PNG is generally the safer default.

Which format supports transparency?

PNG supports alpha transparency, including partially transparent pixels. JPG does not. If you convert a transparent PNG to JPG, the transparent areas must be flattened onto a background color.

If compatibility matters more than transparency, use PNG to JPG. If the transparent background must remain, keep PNG or consider PNG to WebP for a modern web format that can also preserve transparency.

Does PNG always have better image quality than JPG?

Not in every practical sense. PNG uses lossless compression, so its stored pixel data is preserved exactly. JPG removes some image information to reduce file size. But a high-quality JPG can still look visually indistinguishable from the source in many photographic uses.

The better format depends on the job. For a photo that needs to be emailed, uploaded, or shared, JPG is often the better tradeoff. For a graphic that needs transparent pixels or repeated editing without another lossy encode, PNG is usually better.

JPG vs PNG file size

There is no fixed ratio between JPG and PNG file sizes because image content matters. Photos usually compress much more efficiently as JPG. Simple graphics with flat colors can compress very efficiently as PNG. Resolution, color complexity, metadata, and encoder settings also affect the final size.

JPG vs PNG for websites

Use JPG for photographic content when traditional compatibility matters. Use PNG when a graphic needs transparency or lossless pixel preservation. For many modern websites, WebP can also be useful because it supports both lossy and lossless compression and can preserve transparency.

If you already have a JPG or PNG and want a web-oriented alternative, use JPG to WebP or PNG to WebP.

For the website decision between a modern web format and a JPG compatibility copy, compare WebP and JPG. This is a different choice from keeping a transparent PNG master.

When should you convert PNG to JPG?

• When the image is photographic and the PNG is unnecessarily large.
• When an upload form accepts JPG but not PNG.
• When you do not need transparency.
• When broad compatibility is more important than lossless pixel storage.

When should you keep PNG?

• When the image needs transparency.
• When it contains sharp text, UI elements, diagrams, or logos.
• When you want a lossless raster copy for continued editing.
• When converting to JPG would introduce visible artifacts around edges or text.

Three everyday format decisions

• A travel photo for an email attachment: try JPG and inspect faces, skies, and fine detail at the size the recipient will see. A PNG copy may be much larger without a useful visible improvement.
• A support screenshot with small labels: keep a PNG master so repeated exports do not add JPEG artifacts around text. If the screenshot is mostly a photograph, compare a JPG copy too; PNG is not automatically the smallest choice.
• A logo over different page backgrounds: keep an alpha-capable format. Saving a white-background JPG as PNG does not remove that background or recreate transparent pixels.

Compare size fairly and keep an editing copy

Compare exports with the same pixel width and height. Check actual file bytes and inspect text, edges, and gradients, rather than judging by the extension or a quality-slider number. Changing dimensions as well as format is a different comparison; there is no universal JPG-to-PNG size ratio.

If an editor or submission system specifically requires PNG, create a PNG copy of your JPG. The decoded pixels can then be saved without another lossy JPEG encode, but conversion cannot recover detail already discarded by JPG compression. Keep your original and an editable master where possible.

Convert between JPG and PNG workflows

FileOnTap groups the available tools by format. Browse the JPG Converter or PNG Converter, convert PNG to JPG when transparency is not needed, or reduce a large file with Compress Image.

Source and verification

See MDN's image format guide for the underlying JPEG and PNG compression and transparency characteristics. Whether a format is accepted still depends on the destination.