JPG vs PNG: what's the difference?
Short answer: Use JPG for photos and PNG for screenshots, logos, text and anything that needs a transparent background.
| JPG | PNG | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) | Portable Network Graphics |
| File extensions | .jpg, .jpeg, .jpe | .png |
| MIME type | image/jpeg | image/png |
| Introduced | 1992 | 1996 |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossless |
| Transparency | No | Yes (full alpha) |
| Animation | No | APNG only |
| Typical file size | Small | Large |
| Best for | photographs, social media uploads and email attachments | screenshots, logos, graphics with text and anything that needs a transparent background |
| Compatibility | Universal: every browser, phone, camera and image editor | Universal: every browser, OS and editor |
File size
JPG is usually 5 to 10 times smaller for photographs. For flat graphics with few colours, PNG can be smaller than JPG and looks sharper.
Image quality
PNG is lossless, so it never loses detail. JPG discards detail you rarely notice in photos, but it smears sharp edges and text and loses a little more quality every time it's re-saved.
Transparency and animation
JPG: transparency no, animation no. PNG: transparency yes (full alpha), animation apng only.
Compatibility
JPG: Universal: every browser, phone, camera and image editor.
PNG: Universal: every browser, OS and editor.
When to use JPG
- Photos for email, social media and websites
- Anything that must be small
- Printing photos at a lab
When to use PNG
- Screenshots and screen recordings stills
- Logos, icons and graphics with transparency
- Images you'll keep editing
Convert between JPG and PNG
Frequently asked questions
Is JPG better than PNG?
Use JPG for photos and PNG for screenshots, logos, text and anything that needs a transparent background.
Which is smaller, JPG or PNG?
JPG is usually 5 to 10 times smaller for photographs. For flat graphics with few colours, PNG can be smaller than JPG and looks sharper.
Which has better quality, JPG or PNG?
PNG is lossless, so it never loses detail. JPG discards detail you rarely notice in photos, but it smears sharp edges and text and loses a little more quality every time it's re-saved.
How do I convert JPG to PNG?
Open the free JPG to PNG converter, add your files and download the results. It runs in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.