A PRACTICAL GUIDE
JPG, PNG or WebP? Choose an image format
A good image format fits the content and the place you will use it. A photograph, a logo with a transparent edge and a screenshot with small text have different needs. Changing an extension does not convert a file; the pixels must be encoded into the new format.
| Format | Useful for | Transparency | Quality control here |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPG | Photographs and widely compatible downloads | No; transparent areas become white | Lossy quality slider |
| PNG | Logos, screenshots and lossless transparent images | Yes | Lossless; slider has no effect |
| WebP | Compact web images and transparent graphics | Yes | Lossy quality slider |
When a photograph needs to be smaller
First match its dimensions to the intended use. A full-resolution camera image is often unnecessary for a small website card. Then compare JPG and WebP at a moderate quality setting. Lower quality can save space, but examine skin, gradients, text and fine edges for visible artefacts.
The image compressor reports the actual output size after export. A smaller original or a high-quality conversion can produce a larger file, so a percentage reduction is not guaranteed.
When transparent edges matter
Use PNG or WebP for a cutout, a rounded corner or a logo that should sit directly on a background. A checkerboard in the editor indicates empty pixels. It is not a texture in the exported image. JPG fills those pixels with white because it has no alpha channel.
What conversion cannot restore
Saving a compressed JPG as PNG does not recover details already lost. Resizing a small picture to a large one does not create real detail either. Keep a copy of the best original and make new exports for different uses.
ANOTHER WAY TO WORK