Images

PNG vs JPG vs WebP: which image format is best?

There is no single best image format. PNG, JPG and WebP make different trade-offs between image quality, transparency, compatibility and file size. Picking the format around the job is usually better than converting everything to one type.

Updated 20 August 2026 · Convertix Guides

PNG: useful for transparency and crisp graphics

PNG uses lossless compression and supports transparency. It is a strong fit for screenshots, diagrams, interface graphics and images where sharp edges matter. Photographs stored as PNG can become unnecessarily large.

JPG: a practical format for photographs

JPG uses lossy compression and is widely supported. It can make photographic images much smaller, but repeated editing and compression can introduce visible artefacts. JPG does not provide the alpha transparency commonly expected from PNG or WebP.

WebP: built with the web in mind

WebP supports both lossy and lossless compression as well as transparency. For modern web projects it can often reduce transfer size while keeping useful image features, although your workflow or target software may still require PNG or JPG.

A simple rule of thumb

Use PNG when lossless detail or transparency is the priority, JPG for broadly compatible photographic delivery, and WebP when optimising modern web images. Always judge the actual output rather than assuming a conversion will automatically make a file smaller.