PNG vs JPG
How do PNG and JPGcompare? Here's everything you need to know to choose the right format — and how to convert between them.
.png
Full guide →Portable Network Graphics
PNG is a lossless image format that supports transparency. It was created as an improved, non-patented replacement for GIF. PNG is ideal for graphics, logos, screenshots, and any image where quality preservation is critical.
.jpg
Full guide →Joint Photographic Experts Group
JPG (also known as JPEG) is the most widely used image format for photographs and complex images. It uses lossy compression to significantly reduce file size while maintaining acceptable visual quality.
| Specification | PNG | JPG |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Portable Network Graphics | Joint Photographic Experts Group |
| Extension | .png | .jpg |
| MIME type | image/png | image/jpeg |
| Category | Image | Image |
| Developer | PNG Development Group | Joint Photographic Experts Group |
| Year introduced | 1996 | 1992 |
| Compression | Lossless | Lossy |
PNG advantages
- Lossless compression — no quality loss
- Supports full transparency (alpha channel)
- Great for text, logos, and sharp-edged graphics
- Universally supported across all browsers and platforms
PNG limitations
- Larger file sizes than JPG for photographs
- No animation support (use APNG or GIF instead)
- Not ideal for print workflows (CMYK not supported)
JPG advantages
- Very small file sizes for photographs
- Universally supported everywhere
- Adjustable compression quality
- Ideal for web and email sharing
JPG limitations
- Lossy compression — quality degrades with each save
- No transparency support
- Not suitable for text or sharp-edge graphics
- Artifacts visible at high compression
Which should you use?
Choose PNG when you need lossless quality, transparency, or sharp graphics. Choose JPG when file size matters more than pixel-perfect quality — like photos for the web.
Best uses for PNG
Best uses for JPG
Convert between PNG and JPG
Need to switch formats? Convert for free with SquishConvert.