JPG vs PNG: which image format should you choose?

Start with the image's purpose

Use JPG for a photographic image when a compact, widely accepted file matters. Use PNG for graphics with transparent areas or when preserving the decoded pixels matters more than reducing the download size. There is no single winner for every image.

For example, a product photo on a white background is a reasonable JPG candidate. A logo that needs to sit on several background colors is a better PNG candidate. A screenshot with small lettering deserves a close inspection before you save it as JPG.

Understand what the conversion can change

JPG compression trades some image information for a smaller file. In this converter, the quality slider controls that tradeoff. Start with a high setting, compare the result at the size you will actually display it, and reduce quality only if the difference is acceptable.

PNG output avoids a new lossy compression step. It does not undo previous JPG compression or remove a background. If a JPG already has blurry lettering, converting it to PNG keeps that existing appearance rather than reconstructing the letters.

Choose the right background

When converting a transparent PNG to JPG, choose the background color before you convert. Preview the result against the destination page or document. If the same artwork must work on light and dark backgrounds, keep a transparent PNG instead.

A practical conversion checklist

Keep your original. Make a converted copy, check the dimensions, inspect fine text and edges, and compare actual file sizes. Changing a file extension alone does not convert the image.

If changing formats is not enough to meet a size limit, reduce dimensions with Resize Images. A photo used in a small document rarely needs the same pixel dimensions as a full-resolution original.