JPG vs PNG: Which Image Format Should You Use?

JPG vs PNG: Which Image Format Should You Use? The difference between JPG and PNG comes down to one trade-off: file size versus image fidelity. JPG compresses aggressively and loses some detail. PNG preserves everything — every pixel, every transparent background — but the files are bigger. Knowing when each format wins saves you bandwidth, load time, and the headache of blurry logos or bloated photo galleries. If you already know JPEG and JPG are the same thing , you're ready for the real question: JPG or PNG? JPG vs PNG at a Glance Feature JPG PNG Compression Lossy — discards data to shrink files Lossless — preserves every pixel Transparency No Yes (alpha channel) Color depth 24-bit (16.7 million colors) 24-bit or 32-bit (with alpha) Animation No No (use APNG or GIF) Best for Photos, gradients, complex imagery Screenshots, logos, text, icons Typical file size Small to medium Medium to large Quality on re-save Degrades each time Stays identical Browser support Universal Universal The