vs
jpg
PNG vs JPG: when to use each format
A clear, practical comparison with a straight answer.
Use JPG for photographs, where its small files shine and the slight quality loss is invisible. Use PNG for logos, icons, screenshots, text and anything needing a transparent background or perfectly sharp edges.
This is the most common image question there is, and it has a genuinely simple answer once you know the trick. The two formats are good at opposite things, so the choice is rarely a close call.
PNG is lossless with transparency. JPG is lossy and tiny. Match the format to the picture and you will never think about it again.
.png vs .jpg at a glance
| .png | .jpg | |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossless | Lossy |
| Transparency | Yes | No |
| File size for photos | Large | Small |
| File size for graphics | Efficient | Can look blurry |
| Re-saving | No quality loss | Degrades over time |
| Best for | Logos, icons, screenshots | Photographs |
Frequently asked questions
Which is better quality, PNG or JPG?
PNG is lossless so it never degrades, which makes it better for graphics and text. For photos, a high-quality JPG looks just as good at a fraction of the size.
Why is my screenshot blurry as a JPG?
JPG struggles with sharp edges and text. Save screenshots as PNG to keep them crisp.