All three work in every modern browser, but they suit different images.
Side by side
| JPEG | PNG | WebP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy | Lossless | Lossy or lossless |
| Transparency | No | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Photos | Logos, screenshots, text | Web images of either kind |
| File size for photos | Small | Large | Usually smallest |
| Software support | Universal | Universal | Browsers yes; some older apps no |
How to choose
- A photograph for a web page: WebP if you can, otherwise JPEG.
- A logo or screenshot with sharp edges, or anything transparent: PNG, or lossless WebP.
- Something to email or print for others: JPEG or PNG, for maximum compatibility.
Converting
The Image Converter switches between the three. Converting a transparent PNG to JPEG fills the background with white, and converting a JPEG to PNG does not restore lost detail. See how to convert images and the lossy vs lossless entry.