PNG vs JPEG

PNG is a lossless image format with transparency - the choice for screenshots, logos, and graphics. PNG is lossless with transparency - right for graphics, text, and screenshots; JPEG compresses photos to a fraction of the size.

image format comparison

PNG.png

PNG is a lossless image format with transparency - the choice for screenshots, logos, and graphics.

Pros

Lossless - no quality loss no matter how often you save
Supports transparency (alpha channel)
Ideal for text, logos, and screenshots where sharp edges matter

Cons

Photos in PNG are often 3–10× larger than in JPEG
Slower to load on slow connections
No practical advantage for full-color photographs

JPEG.jpg

JPEG is a lossy photo format with excellent compression - the standard for photographs on the web.

Pros

Excellent compression - small files for photographs
Universal support in every browser, camera, and editor
8-bit per-channel color is plenty for photos

Cons

Lossy - each save discards a little more detail
No transparency support
Visible blocking artifacts at low quality settings

Which should you use?

PNG: Choose PNG for logos, screenshots, diagrams, or any image with a transparent background.

JPEG: Choose JPEG for photos and image-heavy pages where load time matters.

Convert between PNG and JPEG

Convert PNG to JPEG →Convert JPEG to PNG →

Free, runs in your browser - files are never uploaded.

Quick Answer

PNG and JPEG are both image formats with different trade-offs. PNG is lossless with transparency - right for graphics, text, and screenshots; JPEG compresses photos to a fraction of the size. Choose PNG for logos, screenshots, diagrams, or any image with a transparent background. Choose JPEG for photos and image-heavy pages where load time matters.

Key Facts

PNG: PNG is a lossless image format with transparency - the choice for screenshots, logos, and graphics.
JPEG: JPEG is a lossy photo format with excellent compression - the standard for photographs on the web.
PNG strengths: Lossless - no quality loss no matter how often you save; Supports transparency (alpha channel); Ideal for text, logos, and screenshots where sharp edges matter.
JPEG strengths: Excellent compression - small files for photographs; Universal support in every browser, camera, and editor; 8-bit per-channel color is plenty for photos.
PNG trade-offs: Photos in PNG are often 3–10× larger than in JPEG; Slower to load on slow connections; No practical advantage for full-color photographs.
JPEG trade-offs: Lossy - each save discards a little more detail; No transparency support; Visible blocking artifacts at low quality settings.
PNG to JPEG is lossy (artifacts can appear at low quality); JPEG to PNG is lossless but cannot restore the detail JPEG already discarded - the file just gets bigger.
PNG is lossless with transparency - right for graphics, text, and screenshots; JPEG compresses photos to a fraction of the size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, PNG or JPEG?

PNG is lossless with transparency - right for graphics, text, and screenshots; JPEG compresses photos to a fraction of the size. Choose PNG for logos, screenshots, diagrams, or any image with a transparent background. Choose JPEG for photos and image-heavy pages where load time matters.

Is PNG lossless or lossy?

PNG is lossless, so no data is removed. JPEG is lossy, so some data is permanently removed to shrink the file.

Can I convert PNG to JPEG without quality loss?

PNG to JPEG is lossy (artifacts can appear at low quality); JPEG to PNG is lossless but cannot restore the detail JPEG already discarded - the file just gets bigger. You can convert either direction with the free tools linked on this page.

What happens to my file when I convert PNG to JPEG?

PNG to JPEG is lossy (artifacts can appear at low quality); JPEG to PNG is lossless but cannot restore the detail JPEG already discarded - the file just gets bigger. Your original file is never modified - the converter downloads a new file.