← Blog 5 min read

PNG vs JPG: Which Image Format Should You Use?

You are saving an image and the software asks: PNG or JPG? You have seen both formats thousands of times, but which one should you actually pick? The answer depends entirely on what is in the image and how you plan to use it.

The fundamental difference

JPG uses lossy compression. It makes files smaller by discarding image data that humans cannot easily perceive. Every time you save a JPG, it throws away a little more information. The result is small file sizes but gradual quality degradation with repeated saves.

PNG uses lossless compression. It makes files smaller through efficient encoding, but no data is ever discarded. You can open, edit, and save a PNG a thousand times and it will be identical to the original. The trade-off is larger file sizes.

When to use JPG

JPG excels at photographs and complex images with many colors, gradients, and subtle tonal variations. This includes:

  • Photos - landscapes, portraits, product shots, event photography
  • Complex illustrations - digital paintings, textured backgrounds
  • Web images where file size matters more than pixel-perfect quality
  • Email attachments where you need to keep sizes manageable

A 5 MB photo saved as JPG at 85% quality might be 800 KB. The same image saved as PNG could be 15 MB. For photos, JPG wins decisively on file size with no practical quality difference.

When to use PNG

PNG is the right choice for images with sharp edges, text, flat colors, and transparency:

  • Logos and icons - crisp edges with no compression artifacts
  • Screenshots - text stays sharp and readable
  • Graphics with transparency - PNG supports alpha channels, JPG does not
  • Diagrams and charts - clean lines and solid colors compress well in PNG
  • Images that will be edited repeatedly - no quality loss between saves

JPG struggles with sharp edges and solid colors. Save a screenshot as JPG and you will see fuzzy artifacts around text and UI elements. PNG keeps these perfectly crisp.

The transparency factor

This is often the deciding factor. If your image needs a transparent background - a logo to place on different colored pages, an icon for a website, a product photo with no background - you must use PNG. JPG does not support transparency at all. Every pixel must have a solid color.

File size comparison

For a typical photograph (3000x2000 pixels):

  • JPG at 85% quality: ~800 KB
  • PNG: ~12-15 MB

For a typical screenshot (1920x1080 pixels):

  • JPG at 85% quality: ~300 KB (with visible artifacts around text)
  • PNG: ~500 KB (pixel-perfect)

Notice the gap narrows dramatically for screenshots. PNG compresses flat colors and repeating patterns very efficiently, making it competitive with JPG for non-photographic content.

What about WebP?

WebP is a modern format that combines the best of both worlds. It supports both lossy and lossless compression, handles transparency, and produces files 25-35% smaller than equivalent JPG or PNG. All modern browsers support it.

If you are optimizing images for a website, converting to WebP is often the best choice regardless of whether the source is JPG or PNG.

Converting between formats

Need to switch formats? PrivConvert makes it simple:

Both conversions happen in your browser with no uploads to external servers.

The quick decision guide

Is it a photo? Use JPG. Does it have transparency? Use PNG. Is it a screenshot or graphic with text? Use PNG. Is file size critical? Use JPG. Will you edit it many times? Use PNG. Is it for a modern website? Consider WebP.

Convert PNG to JPG