JPEG vs PNG for Web: The Complete Decision Guide
Learn exactly when to use JPEG vs PNG for optimal website performance and image quality
Quick Decision Tool
Use JPEG when: You have photographs, complex images with many colors, or need smaller file sizes
Use PNG when: You need transparency, have logos/graphics with sharp edges, or require lossless quality
File Size Comparison: Real Examples
| Image Type | JPEG Size | PNG Size | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Photo (1200x800) | 85 KB | 420 KB | 394% larger |
| Logo with Text (400x200) | 25 KB | 18 KB | 28% smaller |
| Screenshot (1920x1080) | 180 KB | 650 KB | 261% larger |
Web Performance Impact
Page Load Speed
- JPEG: Smaller files = faster loading, especially on mobile networks
- PNG: Larger files can slow page load, but necessary for certain image types
- Best Practice: Use JPEG for hero images and photos, PNG for UI elements
SEO Considerations
- Google PageSpeed Insights penalizes large image files
- Core Web Vitals include Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) - affected by image load times
- Mobile-first indexing prioritizes fast-loading images
When to Use Each Format
Choose JPEG for:
- Product photography for e-commerce sites
- Blog post featured images
- Portrait and landscape photography
- Social media images
- Banner and header images with complex scenes
Choose PNG for:
- Company logos and brand elements
- Icons and user interface elements
- Images requiring transparent backgrounds
- Screenshots of software or websites
- Diagrams and infographics with sharp text
Quality Comparison
JPEG uses lossy compression, which means some image data is permanently removed to reduce file size. PNG uses lossless compression, preserving all original image data.
JPEG Quality Settings
- 90-100%: Excellent quality, larger files (use for print)
- 75-85%: High quality, optimal for web photos
- 60-70%: Good quality, smaller files for faster loading
- Below 60%: Noticeable quality loss, only for thumbnails
Browser Support
Both JPEG and PNG have universal browser support across all modern and legacy browsers. This makes them safe choices for any website without compatibility concerns.
Pro Tip: Hybrid Approach
Many successful websites use a hybrid approach: JPEG for photographs and complex images, PNG for logos and graphics. This maximizes both quality and performance.
Optimize Your Images Now
Use our free tool to compress JPEG and PNG files for optimal web performance
Compress Images Free