PNG vs JPG vs WebP vs SVG: which image format should you use?

Choosing an image format sounds like a technical detail, but it changes how sharp your graphics look, whether transparent areas survive, and how fast your pages load. The good news is that you only need to understand four formats to make the right call almost every time: PNG, JPG, WebP and SVG.

This guide compares them side by side and finishes with a simple decision checklist.

The short version

Format	Best for	Transparency	Compression	Scales without blur
PNG	Cut-outs, logos, screenshots, graphics with text	Yes, smooth (alpha)	Lossless	No
JPG	Photographs without transparency	No	Lossy	No
WebP	Websites: photos and cut-outs	Yes, smooth (alpha)	Lossy or lossless	No
SVG	Logos, icons, simple illustrations	Yes	Text-based vector	Yes

PNG: the safe choice for anything with transparency

PNG is a raster format, meaning it stores a grid of pixels. Its two big strengths are lossless compression (nothing is thrown away when you save) and a full alpha channel for smooth transparency. If you are new to alpha, our explainer on what a transparent PNG is covers it in detail.

Choose PNG when:

• You need a cut-out object, sticker or logo to sit on a coloured background.
• The image contains sharp edges, flat colours or text, such as screenshots, diagrams and UI elements.
• You plan to edit the image again and do not want quality to drop with every save.
• You are working in tools that may not support newer formats, such as some older versions of office software.

Watch out for: file size. A large, detailed photograph saved as PNG can be several times heavier than the same photo as JPG. For the web, it is worth optimizing your PNG files.

JPG: still the default for photographs

JPG (also written JPEG) is designed for photographs. It uses lossy compression, which removes detail the eye is unlikely to notice and can shrink photos dramatically. You can usually choose a quality level when saving; around 75 to 85 percent is a common sweet spot.

Choose JPG when:

• The image is a photograph or a painting with smooth gradients and lots of colour variation.
• You do not need any transparent areas.
• You need maximum compatibility, for example with email clients, printers and old devices.

Avoid JPG when:

• You need transparency. JPG has no alpha channel; transparent areas become solid, usually white.
• The image contains text or crisp lines. Lossy compression creates fuzzy "artifacts" around sharp edges.
• You will edit and re-save the file many times, since quality drops a little each time.

WebP: the modern web format that does both

WebP was developed for the web and supports both lossy and lossless compression, plus a full alpha channel. In practice, that means WebP can replace JPG for photos and PNG for cut-outs, often at a noticeably smaller file size than either.

All modern browsers support WebP, which makes it an excellent choice for websites. The catch is support outside the browser: some desktop apps, older office suites and print workflows still prefer PNG or JPG.

Choose WebP when:

• The image is going on a website or in a web app and loading speed matters.
• You want transparency with a smaller file than PNG.

Keep a PNG or JPG master when:

• You need to share the file with clients or colleagues who may open it in many different programs.
• The file is heading to print.

A common workflow is to keep the original PNG as your master copy and generate WebP versions for the website. Our optimization guide shows how to serve both with a fallback.

SVG: vectors that stay sharp at any size

SVG is completely different from the other three. Instead of pixels, it stores shapes described in code: lines, curves and fills. Because the browser draws those shapes at whatever size is needed, an SVG logo looks perfectly sharp on a phone, a 4K monitor and a billboard.

Choose SVG when:

• The graphic is made of flat shapes and solid colours: logos, icons, simple illustrations, charts.
• It needs to scale to many sizes.
• You want to change colours with code or animate parts of it on a website.

Avoid SVG when:

• The image is a photograph or has detailed textures. SVG cannot represent photographic detail efficiently.
• You are uploading to a platform that does not accept SVG, which many social networks and some design tools do not.

If you only have a PNG version of an icon or logo, that is perfectly fine for most uses as long as the resolution is high enough for the size you display it at. A good rule is to use a PNG at at least twice the size it appears on screen, so it stays crisp on high-density displays.

What about GIF, AVIF and others?

• GIF supports only on/off transparency and 256 colours. Today it is mostly used for short animations; for still images, PNG is better in every way.
• AVIF is a newer format with excellent compression and alpha support. Browser support is good and growing, but support in design and office software is still patchy.
• TIFF and PSD are working formats for print and editing, not for sharing or the web.

A quick decision checklist

1. Does it need transparent areas? If yes, use PNG (or WebP for the web, or SVG if it is a simple vector shape). Never JPG.
2. Is it a photograph? If yes and no transparency is needed, use JPG, or WebP for the web.
3. Is it a logo or icon made of flat shapes? Use SVG if you have it; otherwise a high-resolution PNG.
4. Does it contain text or sharp lines? Use PNG or SVG to keep edges crisp.
5. Is it for print or for sharing with others? Stick with PNG or JPG for the widest compatibility.

Example: one design, four formats

Imagine a social media post with a photo background, a cut-out hoodie product shot, your logo and some text. The best mix would be:

• The background photo as JPG.
• The hoodie cut-out as PNG, so it sits naturally on the photo.
• Your logo as SVG while designing, exported with the final image.
• The final post exported as JPG or PNG, depending on what the platform recommends.

Whatever you are making, you can start with our library of free transparent PNG images, already cut out and ready to layer.