PNG and JPG are the two most common image formats on the web, but they serve very different purposes. JPG uses lossy compression optimized for photographs, while PNG uses lossless compression ideal for graphics, screenshots, and images requiring transparency.
Choose JPG for photographs, natural scenes, and images with smooth color gradients. JPG files are significantly smaller than PNG for photographic content, making them ideal for web pages and email. The compression artifacts are barely noticeable in photos.
Choose PNG when you need transparency, sharp edges, text, or pixel-perfect reproduction. PNG is the best format for logos, screenshots, diagrams, and UI elements. While file sizes are larger, the quality difference is critical for these use cases.
JPG: smaller files, lossy compression, no transparency, best for photos. PNG: larger files, lossless compression, supports transparency, best for graphics. For web use, consider WebP as a modern alternative that combines the best of both formats.