JPG vs PNG vs WebP vs HEIC: Which Image Format Should You Use?

Updated: 2026-11-10

JPG, PNG, WebP, HEIC, AVIF: choosing the wrong format can make an image ten times bigger than it needs to be, or ruin a logo. Here is when to use each.

JPG (JPEG)

The universal photo format. It uses lossy compression that removes detail the eye barely sees. Excellent for photos; poor for text and sharp lines, which get fuzzy edges. No transparency.

PNG

Lossless: every pixel is kept exactly. Ideal for screenshots, logos, charts and anything with text or transparency. Photos saved as PNG are often 5–10 times larger than JPG.

WebP

A modern format by Google that supports both lossy and lossless compression and transparency. Photos are typically 25–35% smaller than JPG at the same visible quality. Supported by all current browsers, and the best default choice for websites.

HEIC (HEIF)

The default photo format on iPhones and iPads. It is efficient, about half the size of JPG, but many websites and Windows programs do not accept it. Convert to JPG with Convert Image before uploading.

AVIF

The newest web format, often even smaller than WebP. Support for creating AVIF files varies by browser, so check before relying on it.

Quick decision guide

Size versus quality

For photos, quality settings of 75–85% are the sweet spot: large savings, no visible loss. Below 60% you start to see blocky areas. Try different values in Compress Image and compare.

Guides

Tools are provided as-is. Keep a copy of important originals. See our disclaimer.