Compare JPEG, PNG, WebP and transparency

Start with the receiving application

The smallest file is not always the best choice. A WebP cannot satisfy a JPEG-only submission even when it is smaller. For web publishing, check format support in the target browser and publishing tool. Keep the original separately and inspect the displayed image after uploading.

How to inspect transparency

The checkerboard behind a preview is a display background, not pixels added to the file. The transparency sample contains an opaque blue circle and a translucent orange rectangle. With PNG or WebP, inspect the outer area and overlapping shapes. JPEG intentionally replaces transparent areas with white in this tool.

Converting a JPEG with a white background into PNG does not restore transparency: the white background is already part of the pixels. Background removal is a separate editing operation and is not performed by this converter.

Why a PNG can become smaller in pixels

PNG encoding does not use the JPEG quality slider to fit a target. This tool reduces dimensions when a PNG exceeds the limit. A lossless file format cannot preserve details removed by resizing. Enable the option to keep dimensions for text screenshots and inspect any over-target status.

Compare three formats using the same original

Load the samples, keep the byte target and maximum edge constant, then save JPEG, PNG and WebP in turn. Record bytes and dimensions and open previews at their natural size. Small thumbnails can hide compression artifacts.

Browser encoders may produce different sizes or visual results. This guide does not promise a fixed saving percentage. The numbers on each result card describe the actual file generated by your current browser.