JPG, PNG or WebP: which format should you choose?
The best image format depends on the image and where you plan to use it. A photograph, a transparent logo and a screenshot with small lettering have different needs. Here is a practical way to choose.
JPG: a familiar choice for photos
JPG is widely supported and is usually a practical option for product photography. It uses lossy compression: a lower quality setting reduces file size by discarding more information. It does not support transparency. Manglo fills transparent areas with white when exporting JPG.
PNG: transparency and crisp graphics
PNG supports transparency and lossless compression. It is useful for logos, interface screenshots and graphics with flat colors or sharp edges. A detailed photo exported as PNG can be much larger than a JPG. Moving the quality slider does not make PNG lossy.
WebP: flexible, efficient delivery
WebP supports transparency and can provide smaller files for many images. It is a useful choice for modern websites, but confirm that your listing platform, editor or upload form accepts it before converting a whole catalog.
| Situation | Starting choice |
|---|---|
| Product photo for broad compatibility | JPG |
| Transparent logo or sharp graphic | PNG |
| Website photo where WebP is supported | WebP |
Compare using the same dimensions
Export the same image at the same pixel size in two formats. Compare file size and visible detail, particularly around edges, gradients and text. A format name alone does not tell you which result will be smaller or clearer.
Keep the source
Repeatedly opening and saving a lossy image can introduce additional artifacts. Keep the original and create each export from that source. Manglo is intended for still images; animated inputs are exported as one frame, and most metadata is removed.
Convert an image →