When should you convert JPG to PNG?
JPG is the best format for photos because it keeps files small. PNG is lossless: it stores every pixel exactly, so it never adds blurry “artifacts” however many times you save it. Convert a JPG to PNG when:
- you will edit the image several times and don't want it to lose quality with each save;
- a website, app or printing service asks for PNG files;
- the picture is a screenshot, diagram or text, where sharp edges matter.
Will the PNG be better quality?
No, and it's worth knowing why. Converting can't bring back detail that the JPG already lost. The PNG will look exactly like your JPG, and it will stop any further loss. It will also be bigger, often 2 to 5 times the size, because PNG doesn't throw anything away.
Does converting make the background transparent?
No. A JPG has no transparency, so its white or coloured background becomes a solid background in the PNG too. To get a transparent logo you need to remove the background in an image editor; PNG can then keep that transparency.
JPG vs PNG at a glance
| JPG | PNG | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Photos | Screenshots, logos, text, graphics |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossless |
| Transparency | No | Yes |
| File size | Small | Larger |
If you need a small file that also supports transparency, try WebP with the WebP Converter. To go the other way, use PNG to JPG. You can read more in our guide to JPG vs PNG vs WebP.