JPEG, PNG or WebP: choosing a format and compression quality
Choose formats for photos, screenshots and transparent images, understand quality versus file size, and compare three compression options using real results.
An explanatory example, not a watermark-removal result or performance benchmark.
| Format | Transparency | Output tool |
|---|---|---|
| JPEG | White fill | Compress |
| PNG | Preserved | Crop, Split |
| WebP | Preserved; check destination support | Compress |
Start with the content, not the extension
A landscape photograph has gradients and textures; a text screenshot has sharp edges. They tolerate compression differently. JPEG is commonly used for photos, PNG for transparency and crisp assets, and WebP for web photos and transparent artwork. Support on the destination platform also matters.
Transparency changes the decision
JPEG cannot store transparency. Selecting JPEG here places transparent pixels on a white background. For a logo that must sit over different colors, choose WebP or keep the original PNG. Our compression tool accepts PNG but does not offer PNG compression output; the crop and split tools do export PNG.
50%, 75% and 90% are not reduction promises
These are quality inputs to the browser's encoder, not guaranteed file-size reductions. Generate all three, compare actual sizes, and inspect textures, text edges and gradients. Start with 75% as a comparison point. If small text becomes unclear or edges show artifacts, compare the higher-quality option.
Why re-encoding can make a file larger
The original may already be optimized or use a different encoding approach. Turning a tiny JPEG into a high-quality WebP does not always save space. Source dimensions are kept by default; optional longest-edge downscaling and custom quality offer more control. Open a result at 100% and switch to the original for comparison. No exact KB target is guaranteed. If no candidate is suitable, keeping the original can be the better choice.
Use a repeatable final check
Keep the source, generate candidates and download the preferred one. Inspect it at its actual display size. Look at product textures and labels, small text in screenshots, or transparent edges against the intended background. Avoid repeatedly compressing the same lossy output as your normal workflow, since detail can be lost at each step.
Before you finish
- Decide whether transparency must be preserved
- Compare actual file sizes, not just quality percentages
- Confirm format support and legibility at the destination
Keep editing your image
Save your result before opening another tool. Mark a selection to remove people, objects, text or logos.