How do PNG and JPGcompare? Here's everything you need to know to choose the right format — and how to convert between them.
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.
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 |
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.
Need to switch formats? Convert for free with SquishConvert.