PNG vs JPEG
PNG is lossless with alpha. JPEG is lossy and smaller for photographs. Screenshots and UI chrome belong in PNG; camera photos usually belong in JPEG, WebP, or AVIF.
Photographs: JPEG (or WebP/AVIF). Graphics, type, screenshots, transparency: PNG. Re-encoding JPEG to PNG does not restore lost detail; it only stores the artefacts losslessly.
| Topic | PNG | JPEG |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossless. Files get large for photos. | Lossy. Quality sliders matter. |
| Transparency | Alpha. | None. Edges become matte. |
| Metadata | Text chunks, including AI workflows. | EXIF and GPS are common. |
| Re-saving | Safe for pixels if you do not go through canvas. | Each lossy save can add artefacts. |
Related tools
- Image converter
Convert images on-device, with honest limits for animation and AVIF support.
- Image compressor
Reduce image weight in the browser and see the new file size before you download.
- PNG chunk inspector
See every PNG chunk, including the ones that hide prompts.
Related formats
Last reviewed 16 August 2026.