PNG vs JPG – The Complete Comparison Guide

Choosing between PNG and JPG (JPEG) is one of the most common image format decisions. Making the wrong choice can result in files 5–20× larger than necessary or images with visible quality artifacts. Here's the definitive comparison.

Core differences: PNG vs JPG

Feature	PNG	JPG
Compression type	Lossless	Lossy
Transparency	Yes (alpha channel)	No
Best for	Graphics, logos, screenshots	Photographs
Photo file size	Very large (1–5 MB for typical photo)	Small (100–500 KB)
Graphic quality	Perfect	Artifacts on edges/text
Browser support	All	All

When to use JPG

JPG (JPEG) is the right choice for:

• Photographs: People, landscapes, product photos, food, architecture. Photographs contain thousands of colors and gradients that compress very well with JPG's lossy algorithm.
• No transparency needed: If the image has a solid background, JPG is almost always better than PNG.
• Web delivery, email, social media: JPG's small size makes it ideal for fast loading.

JPG quality 80 is the sweet spot: excellent visual quality with file sizes 70–90% smaller than PNG for photographs.

When to use PNG

PNG is the right choice for:

• Logos and brand marks: Especially on transparent backgrounds. JPG would fill transparency with white.
• Screenshots and UI captures: Text and interface elements have sharp edges. JPG creates blurry artifacts around text.
• Digital artwork with flat colors: Illustrations, icons, badges.
• Images requiring lossless quality: Source files for future editing.

File size comparison: PNG vs JPG for a photo

For a 1200 × 800 photograph of a person:

• PNG: 1.5–3.5 MB
• JPG quality 95: 400–800 KB (4–5× smaller)
• JPG quality 80: 150–350 KB (8–15× smaller)
• JPG quality 60: 80–180 KB (15–25× smaller)

File size comparison: PNG vs JPG for a logo

For a 200 × 100 px logo with flat colors on transparent background:

• PNG: 5–20 KB
• JPG quality 80: 8–15 KB (similar size, but no transparency support)

For logos, the file sizes are comparable. PNG wins here because it supports transparency — JPG simply cannot.

When WebP beats both

WebP is the modern alternative that does both jobs better:

• 25–35% smaller than JPG at equivalent visual quality for photographs
• 25–34% smaller than PNG for graphics, with transparency support
• Universal browser support (Chrome, Firefox, Safari 14+, Edge)

In 2026, if browser compatibility is not a concern, WebP is the superior choice for virtually all use cases.

How to choose and convert with Resizo

Resizo lets you choose JPG, PNG, or WebP as the output format when resizing. Drop your image, enter the dimensions, select the format, and download.