JPEG vs PNG vs WebP — Which Format is Best?
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Convert between JPEG, PNG, and WebP instantly. Free, private, runs in your browser.
Open Image Compressor →Quick answer
| Situation | Best format |
|---|---|
| Photos and complex images for web | WebP (or JPEG if WebP not possible) |
| Screenshots, logos, UI with transparency | PNG |
| Maximum compatibility (email, old systems) | JPEG |
| Icons and simple graphics | SVG (if possible) or PNG |
| Animations | WebP or GIF |
JPEG — best for photos
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) uses lossy compression — it permanently discards some image data to achieve small file sizes. It's excellent for photos with many colours and gradients.
- Pros: Very small files, universal support, fast loading
- Cons: Lossy — quality degrades with each save. No transparency. Visible artefacts on sharp edges (logos, text)
- Best quality setting for web: 75–85%
- Use for: Blog photos, hero images, product shots, anything photographic
PNG — best for transparency and precision
PNG (Portable Network Graphics) uses lossless compression — every pixel is preserved exactly. It supports full transparency (alpha channel).
- Pros: Lossless — no quality loss. Supports transparency. Sharp edges on text and logos
- Cons: Larger files than JPEG or WebP. Overkill for photos
- Use for: Screenshots, logos, icons with transparency, UI assets, anything where sharpness matters
Need to reduce PNG file size? See our guide on how to compress PNG without losing quality.
WebP — best for web performance
WebP is a modern format developed by Google that supports both lossy and lossless compression, transparency, and animation — all in a smaller file than JPEG or PNG.
- Pros: 25–35% smaller than JPEG at same quality. Supports transparency. Modern alternative to both JPEG and PNG
- Cons: Not supported in very old browsers (IE, Safari pre-2020). Not accepted by all email clients
- Use for: All web images where browser compatibility allows — photos, UI assets, everything
For email-specific format advice, see how to reduce image size for email.
Real file size comparison
| Image | JPEG (85%) | PNG | WebP (85%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo (1200×800) | 180 KB | 1.2 MB | 120 KB ✓ |
| Screenshot (1440×900) | 320 KB* | 800 KB | 210 KB ✓ |
| Logo (transparent) | N/A | 45 KB | 18 KB ✓ |
*JPEG shows artefacts on screenshot text. PNG or WebP is better for screenshots.
To compress any of these formats in your browser, open the free image compressor — no upload required.
Browser support
WebP is supported in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari (since version 14, 2020). If you need to support older Safari or Internet Explorer, provide a JPEG fallback using the HTML <picture> element:
<picture> <source srcset="image.webp" type="image/webp" /> <img src="image.jpg" alt="Description" /> </picture>
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