Use JPG for broadly compatible photographs, WebP for efficient modern web delivery and PNG when transparency or crisp lossless artwork matters more than file size.
Match the format to the image
Photographs contain continuous colour and texture, so lossy formats can remove detail people are unlikely to notice. Logos, diagrams and screenshots contain sharp edges and repeated colours, where aggressive photographic compression can create visible ringing.
Choose based on the source and destination rather than selecting one format for every file.
- JPG: photographs and maximum handoff compatibility.
- WebP: smaller modern web images at comparable visual quality.
- PNG: transparency, interface captures, diagrams and lossless artwork.
Transparency changes the decision
PNG and WebP can preserve an alpha channel; JPG cannot. When a transparent asset is converted to JPG, transparent pixels must become a chosen solid colour. Decide that background deliberately or keep a transparency-capable format.
Dimensions often matter more than format
A 5000-pixel photograph remains unnecessarily heavy if it appears as an 800-pixel article image. Resize to the largest genuine display requirement before lowering quality. Keep an original separately for future crops or print work.
Compare at the intended size
Export two or three settings and inspect faces, text, gradients and detailed edges at their real display size. File size alone does not measure success. The best result is the smallest version that still looks appropriate for its purpose.
Final checklist
- The format matches the image type.
- Transparency is preserved when needed.
- Pixel dimensions match the destination.
- The original file remains untouched.
- The output was inspected at its actual display size.
Frequently asked questions
Is WebP always smaller?
Often, but not universally. Already-optimised inputs and simple graphics can behave differently, so compare the real exports.
Should logos be saved as JPG?
Usually not. PNG or SVG generally preserves sharp edges and transparency better.
Can I recover detail after heavy compression?
No. Keep the original and create new derivatives from it instead of recompressing a damaged export.
This guide is written for practical education, reviewed against the current MakeLiora tool, and updated when its workflow changes. Read our editorial policy.