JPEG, PNG or WebP: which image format for uploads?
Updated 2026-09-30
| Format | Compression | Transparency | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPEG | Lossy: smaller files, slight quality loss | No | Photos, scans and most portal uploads |
| PNG | Lossless: larger files, no quality loss | Yes | Screenshots, logos and sharp-edged graphics |
| WebP | Lossy or lossless | Yes | Web pages. Some upload portals do not list it, so check first |
For an upload, use the type your portal names. Several official photo pages ask for JPEG specifically. If yours does not say, JPEG is the safest choice for a photo.
What conversion changes
- PNG or WebP to JPEG flattens transparency to white, since JPEG cannot store it.
- Saving a JPEG again at a lower quality loses detail each time. Keep your original.
- Converting to PNG does not restore detail lost in a JPEG. It only makes the file bigger.
Frequently asked questions
- Is JPG the same as JPEG?
- Yes. JPG is the three-letter file extension of the JPEG format.
- Can I compress a PNG to a target size?
- The target-size tool works on JPEG and WebP. Convert a PNG to JPEG first, then compress.