JPG vs PNG: Key Differences
Understanding the difference between these two formats helps you pick the right one every time:
- JPG (JPEG): Uses lossy compression. Best for photographs with many colors and gradients. Smaller file sizes. No transparency support.
- PNG: Uses lossless compression. Best for graphics, logos, icons, and screenshots with sharp edges. Supports full transparency (alpha channel). Larger file sizes than JPG for photos.
When to Convert JPG to PNG
There are several good reasons to convert a JPG image to PNG format:
- You need transparency: JPG doesn't support transparent backgrounds. If you need to remove a background, you must first convert to PNG.
- Editing without quality loss: Each time you save a JPG, you lose quality. Switching to PNG preserves quality through multiple edits.
- Text and sharp graphics: PNG renders crisp text and hard edges much better than JPG.
- Screenshots: Screenshots always look better in PNG format — no compression artifacts in the text.
How to Convert JPG to PNG — Step by Step
Does Converting JPG to PNG Affect Quality?
Here's the important nuance: PNG is lossless, so once converted, your PNG will not lose any further quality. However, the original JPG artifacts (the lossy compression artifacts from when the JPG was saved) will still be present in the PNG — converting to PNG doesn't magically restore the original quality.
This is why it's always best to keep your original high-quality source file before converting.
FAQ
Will my PNG be larger than the original JPG?
Yes, almost always. PNG uses lossless compression, which typically produces larger files than JPG for photographic content. A 2MB JPG might become a 6–8MB PNG. This is normal and expected.
Can I convert multiple JPGs at once?
Yes! Our tool supports batch conversion — upload multiple JPG files and convert them all simultaneously.
Does conversion work with transparent PNGs?
JPGs don't have transparency, so the converted PNG will have a solid background. If you need transparency, use our Image Editor to remove the background after converting.