Not sure when to use PNG, JPG, or WebP? This guide explains the differences, tradeoffs, and when each format is the right choice.
Choosing the right image format is one of those decisions that seems trivial until you get it wrong. Use PNG where you should use JPG and your page loads slowly. Use JPG where you need PNG and you lose transparency. Use neither when you should be using WebP and you are leaving free performance on the table.
This guide cuts through the confusion and gives you a clear decision framework for choosing between PNG, JPG, and WebP.
1. Need transparency? Use PNG or WebP. 2. Photograph for the web? Use WebP, with JPEG as fallback. 3. Logo, icon, or text? Use PNG or WebP (lossless). 4. Need the smallest file? Use WebP. 5. Maximum compatibility? Use JPEG. 6. Print or archival? Use PNG (lossless) or TIFF.