PNG and JPG are the two most common image formats, but they're designed for different purposes. Using the wrong format wastes space or reduces quality.
JPG: best for photos
JPG uses lossy compression — great for photographs where a tiny quality reduction is invisible. 90% smaller than PNG for photos.
PNG: best for graphics and text
PNG uses lossless compression — perfect for logos, screenshots, icons and text. Supports transparency. Larger file size.
Transparency: PNG wins
Only PNG supports transparent backgrounds. JPG always has a solid background (usually white).
WebP: the modern choice
WebP is 25-35% smaller than JPG and supports transparency like PNG. Use WebP for websites for best performance.
Tips
- Check that the output looks correct before deleting the original
- Download immediately after processing — files may expire
- Works on desktop and mobile browsers
FAQs
Should I use PNG or JPG for Instagram?
JPG for photos. PNG for graphics with text or logos. Instagram compresses both anyway.
Does converting JPG to PNG improve quality?
No — converting JPG to PNG doesn't restore quality lost during JPG compression. It just prevents further loss.
Which format is faster to load on websites?
JPG for photos (smallest), WebP for everything (best overall), PNG only when transparency is needed.
Try Fourmeld Free — Image Tools
Compress, resize, remove backgrounds and edit images — 100% free.
Try Fourmeld Image Tools Free →