FilePDQ

JPG, PNG, WEBP or HEIC: which format to use

Updated 5 min read

Quick answer

Use JPG for photos you want to open anywhere, PNG for screenshots and anything with transparency, and WEBP for websites. HEIC is the iPhone’s space-saver; convert it when sharing.

Convert image formatFree, no sign-up, and your files never leave your device.

Open the tool

Step by step

  1. Pick the format from the table below.
  2. Open Convert image, add your files and choose the target format.
  3. Download the converted files.

The formats at a glance

JPG
Photos. Small files, opens everywhere. No transparency. Loses a little quality each time it is saved.
PNG
Screenshots, logos, graphics. Lossless and supports transparency. Large for photos.
WEBP
Websites. Smaller than JPG at the same quality, supports transparency. Most modern apps open it, some older ones don’t.
HEIC
IPhone photos. About half the size of JPG. Many Windows apps and websites can’t open it.
AVIF
Newer and very small. Support is growing but not universal.

Tips

  • Converting a JPG to PNG doesn’t bring back quality; it just makes a bigger file.
  • Transparent areas turn white when saved as JPG, because JPG has no transparency.

If something goes wrong

A website rejects my photo.

It probably only accepts JPG or PNG. Convert to JPG and try again.