Pick a format for the content you have and the destination that will use it. PNG and JPEG solve different problems; converting a file does not automatically improve its visual quality.
| Image | Start with | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Photograph with many tones | JPEG | Lossy compression can make photographic files smaller. |
| Transparent artwork | PNG | PNG can preserve transparent pixels. |
| Screenshot, diagram or sharp text | PNG | Lossless encoding avoids new JPEG artifacts around edges. |
| A destination accepts only one format | The required format | Compatibility takes priority. Inspect the conversion. |
JPEG trades information for size.
JPEG is lossy: its compression can discard visual information. Lower quality settings may create blocks or halos, especially around lettering and high-contrast lines. A quality value such as 85% is an encoder setting, not a statement that the output contains exactly 85% of the original information.
Repeatedly opening and saving a JPEG can add artifacts. Return to your original source for each new export rather than shrinking yesterday’s compressed version again.
Transparency needs a decision.
JPEG cannot keep a transparent background. Pixel Zoodle lets you choose the solid color that will appear behind transparent areas. White suits many pages, but it can leave a visible rectangle on a dark background. Choose PNG when transparency is required.
Try it: open the image desk’s built-in sample. Export a PNG, then a JPEG with a colored background. The sample has transparent edges so you can see the difference.
Lossless does not mean damage-free.
PNG does not add lossy compression at export. However, resizing still changes pixels, and saving an already damaged JPEG as PNG cannot restore discarded detail. PNG may preserve existing artifacts very accurately.
What the browser can export.
This desk accepts still PNG, JPEG and WebP sources, then exports PNG or JPEG. If a browser cannot honor a requested export type, canvas may return PNG. The desk checks the actual result and uses its matching filename extension. Quality and color rendering can vary between browsers.
Animated files, vector SVG and HEIC are outside this desk’s scope. Keep animation and vectors in a tool designed for those formats.
Choose a format in the image desk