TutorialFebruary 18, 2026
JPEG vs PNG vs WebP: Which to Use?
The simple answer — and the detailed comparison for when it matters.
Quick Answer
- Photos → JPEG (or WebP for web)
- Graphics/logos/screenshots → PNG
- Web images (any) → WebP (25-35% smaller than JPEG)
- Transparency needed → PNG or WebP
Detailed Comparison
| Feature | JPEG | PNG | WebP | AVIF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy | Lossless | Both | Both |
| Transparency | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Animation | ❌ | ❌ (APNG ✅) | ✅ | ✅ |
| File Size (photo) | Medium | Large | Small | Smallest |
| Quality | Good | Perfect | Good | Good |
| Browser Support | 100% | 100% | 97% | 92% |
| Best For | Photos | Graphics | Web (all) | Next-gen web |
File Size Example (Same Photo)
JPEG (85%)
420 KB
baseline
PNG
2.1 MB
5x larger
WebP (85%)
290 KB
31% smaller
AVIF (85%)
195 KB
54% smaller
Convert Between Formats
Use our free Format Converter to switch between JPEG, PNG, and WebP instantly. No upload — everything runs in your browser.