PNG vs JPG – Which Image Format Is Best?

Choosing between PNG and JPG can directly affect your website speed, image quality, and SEO rankings.

What is PNG and JPG?

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) and JPG (or JPEG) are the two most commonly used image formats on the web. Both serve different purposes depending on image type, quality requirements, and file size constraints.

Key differences between PNG and JPG

• PNG uses lossless compression; JPG uses lossy compression
• PNG supports transparency; JPG does not
• PNG files are usually larger than JPG
• JPG is better for photographs
• PNG is better for text, icons, and graphics

When should you use PNG?

PNG is ideal when image quality and clarity are critical. It preserves sharp edges and supports transparent backgrounds.

• Logos and brand assets
• Icons and UI elements
• Screenshots and diagrams
• Images with text overlays

When should you use JPG?

JPG is best suited for photos where small file size is more important than perfect quality.

• Photographs
• Blog images
• Background images
• Social media uploads

PNG vs JPG – Which is better for SEO?

From an SEO perspective, image size matters more than format. Large images slow down page load speed, negatively impacting Core Web Vitals and Google rankings.

• Use JPG for photos to keep file sizes small
• Use PNG only when transparency or clarity is required
• Always compress images before uploading

Example: PNG vs JPG file size comparison

The same image saved as PNG may be 2–5x larger than JPG, especially for photos. Compressing images can drastically reduce size without visible quality loss.

Compress PNG or JPG images online

Reduce image size without losing quality using our free, browser-based image compression tools.