The core difference
JPG is a 'lossy' format optimized for photos — small files, but no transparency. PNG is 'lossless,' so it's crisp and supports transparent backgrounds, but it's large for photos. WebP is a newer format that's smaller than both JPG and PNG at the same quality and also supports transparency.
When to use which
- Photos / real-life images → JPG (or WebP)
- Logos, icons, transparency → PNG (or WebP)
- Modern websites → standardize on WebP for the lightest pages
- Text-heavy screenshots → PNG keeps text sharper
Is WebP always the answer?
WebP almost always wins on size, but very old environments or some legacy software may not open it. For files you'll send to unknown recipients, JPG/PNG is safest; for images you upload to your own site, WebP is best for speed.
Image CompressShrink JPG, PNG & WebP without visible quality loss.Try it nowWhat matters more than format
The bigger difference comes from whether you compressed to a sensible size and quality at all. Any format is heavy if you upload the original untouched. After choosing a format, follow our guide to reducing image size to tune size and quality together.