JPG vs PNG: When to Use Each Format
Updated June 2026 · 4 min read
JPG and PNG are the two most common image formats. They serve different purposes, and using the wrong one means either unnecessarily huge files or visibly degraded quality. Here's exactly when to use each.
Key Differences
JPG is for photos. PNG is for graphics. JPG uses lossy compression — it sacrifices some data to make files dramatically smaller. At 85-95% quality, the loss is invisible, but it's permanent. PNG uses lossless compression — every pixel is preserved exactly, but files can be 5-10x larger than JPG for photos.
The other critical difference: PNG supports transparency. JPG does not. If you need a transparent background (logos, overlays, watermarks), JPG simply isn't an option.
When to Use JPG
- Photographs and photo-rich content
- Website images where file size matters more than perfection
- Email attachments (small files, universal compatibility)
- Social media uploads
- Any scenario where file size matters and transparency isn't needed
When to Use PNG
- Logos, icons, and graphics with sharp edges
- Screenshots — text becomes blurry in JPG
- Images requiring transparency
- Images that will be edited repeatedly
- Archival copies where quality must never degrade
Rule of thumb: Photos → JPG at 85-92% quality. Graphics, logos, screenshots, anything with text → PNG. When in doubt, use our
free converter to experiment with both formats side by side.