JPEG vs PNG vs WEBP: Ultimate Image Format Guide

JPEG: The Old Reliable

JPEG is lossy, meaning it discards some data to save space. It is best for photographs and complex gradients. Do NOT use JPEG for logos or text-heavy images, as it introduces 'artifacts' (fuzziness around edges).

PNG: Lossless and Transparent

PNG is lossless. It preserves exact pixel data and supports transparency (an alpha channel). Use PNG for logos, icons, screenshots, and line art. However, PNGs can be massive in file size if used for photographs.

WEBP: The Modern Standard

Developed by Google, WebP provides superior lossless and lossy compression. It can be up to 30% smaller than JPEGs or PNGs of the same quality. It is widely supported by all modern browsers and should be your go-to format for the web.