The format you save in decides how big the file is, how sharp it looks and whether it can have a transparent background. Here is how to choose.
JPG (JPEG)
Best for photos. JPG throws away detail your eye is unlikely to notice, so files are small. It does not support transparency, and repeated saving at low quality makes it look blocky.
PNG
Best for screenshots, logos, text and anything with sharp edges or transparency. PNG keeps every pixel exactly, so files are larger, especially for photos.
WebP
A modern format that handles both photos and transparency. WebP files are often noticeably smaller than JPG or PNG at a similar look, and all current browsers can open them. A few older apps and some upload forms still do not accept it.
Quick guide
- Photo for a website or email: WebP, or JPG if you need it to work everywhere.
- Photo for a form that says "JPG only": JPG.
- Logo, icon or screenshot: PNG.
- Anything that needs a transparent background: PNG or WebP.
- Smallest possible file: WebP at a moderate quality.
Converting between them
Converting a JPG to PNG makes the file bigger and does not bring back detail that JPG already lost. Converting a PNG with transparency to JPG fills the see-through areas with a solid color, usually white.
You can convert in your browser without uploading anything.