PNG vs JPG: which image format should you use?
Verdict: JPG wins for photographs — far smaller files at visually identical quality. PNG wins whenever you need transparency, crisp text, or pixel-perfect graphics. Rule of thumb: photos go JPG; logos, screenshots, and anything transparent goes PNG.
| Criterion | PNG | JPG |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossless — large files for photos | Lossy — tiny files for photos |
| Transparency | Yes, full alpha channel | No transparency support |
| Text and line art | Crisp edges, no artifacts | Smudges and ringing around sharp edges |
| Photographs | Wasteful — often 5–10x larger than JPG | Ideal — small with excellent visual quality |
| Re-saving | Lossless, re-save freely | Each re-save at low quality degrades detail |
| Best for | Logos, UI, screenshots, transparency | Photos, thumbnails, camera images |
Use PNG when
- The image needs transparency
- It contains text, logos, or sharp line art
- You need pixel-perfect screenshots
- The file will be edited and re-saved many times
Use JPG when
- It is a photograph or realistic thumbnail
- File size matters (web, email, uploads)
- No transparency is needed
- You export once at high quality (85–92) and stop
Convert for free, privately
Every tool below runs entirely in your browser — your files never leave your device.
Frequently asked questions
Does converting JPG to PNG improve quality?
No — conversion cannot restore detail that lossy compression removed. It only makes the file bigger. Convert PNG to JPG to save space, not the reverse for quality.
What JPG quality should I export at?
Quality 85–92 is the sweet spot for photos: visually near-identical to maximum with a fraction of the file size. Below ~70, banding and block artifacts become visible.
Why is my PNG screenshot so large?
PNG stores every pixel losslessly, so detailed screenshots balloon. For sharing, convert to JPG (or WebP) — text stays readable at high quality settings.
Can I convert PNG and JPG for free without uploading?
Yes — the linked converters run entirely in your browser, so screenshots and photos never leave your device.