JPG, PNG or WEBP: which one should you pick?

You saved a picture and the website says "only JPG allowed". Or a file you downloaded will not open on your phone. Image formats look confusing, but you only need to know a few things.

JPG

This is the one most people know. Phone cameras make it. It makes small files, which is great for photos. The cost is that every save loses a little quality, and it cannot have a see-through background. Use JPG for photos, and whenever a form asks for JPG or JPEG.

PNG

PNG keeps sharp edges and flat colours. It is the best choice for screenshots, logos, text and anything with a see-through background. The files are bigger than JPG. A photo saved as PNG can be five times larger than the same photo as JPG.

WEBP

WEBP is newer and makes files smaller than both of the others, so websites like it. The problem is that older apps and some upload forms do not accept it. If a picture you downloaded is WEBP and will not open or upload, convert it.

Quick choice

  • Photo to send or upload: JPG.
  • Screenshot, logo, text, see-through background: PNG.
  • Smallest file for a website you manage: WEBP.
  • Form says a specific format: use that one.

How to convert

  1. Open Convert images.
  2. Choose one or more pictures.
  3. Pick the format under Convert to.
  4. For JPG and WEBP, pick the quality: Smaller files, Balanced, High or Best.
  5. Press Convert images and download.

The pictures are converted on your device and are not uploaded.

A few things to expect

  • Going from PNG to JPG fills see-through parts with a solid colour, because JPG cannot be see-through.
  • Going from JPG to PNG makes the file bigger, but it does not make the picture sharper.
  • Lower quality means a smaller file. If a form has a size limit, pick Smaller files and check the result.

Need the picture as a PDF? Use JPG to PDF.

Try it now: Convert Images · JPG to PDF