PNG vs JPEG vs WebP: Which Format Should You Choose?

If your image contains text or UI (screenshots, diagrams, app flows), PNG is usually the safest choice because it stays crisp. If it is mostly photography and you want smaller files, JPEG is a great default. If the image is for the web and you want strong quality with smaller sizes, WebP is often the best balance. The right choice depends on what you are exporting, where it will be viewed, and how much file size matters.

• PNG for crisp text and sharp edges.
• JPEG for photos and smaller files.
• WebP for modern web performance.

PNG is lossless, which means it keeps detail and sharp edges, but files can be larger. JPEG is lossy, which means it trades a bit of detail for a much smaller size, especially for photos. WebP can be lossy or lossless and often compresses better than both for web usage. None is always best. The best format is the one that meets your quality needs at the smallest reasonable size for your destination.

• Lossless keeps detail but can be heavier.
• Lossy is smaller but can introduce artifacts.
• WebP is designed for efficient web delivery.

Use PNG when sharpness matters more than file size. It is ideal for merged tutorial screenshots, UI comparisons, charts, and anything with fine lines. PNG also supports transparency, which is useful if you plan to place the image on different backgrounds. If your merged image includes small text, PNG reduces blur and compression artifacts.

• Great for text-heavy merges and UI screenshots.
• Supports transparency.
• Avoids blocky artifacts around letters.

Use JPEG when your merge is mostly photography: product photos, lifestyle shots, event images, and portraits. JPEG can look excellent at a fraction of the size of PNG, which is helpful for email, messaging apps, and quick sharing. The tradeoff is that repeated saves can reduce quality, so export once from your final merged result and keep the original images if you might re-edit later.

• Best for photo-heavy content.
• Smaller sizes for faster sharing.
• Not ideal for small text and sharp lines.

Use WebP when your primary goal is a fast-loading website with great quality. WebP usually delivers smaller files than JPEG at similar visual quality, and it can handle both photos and graphics well. If you are adding merged images to landing pages, blog posts, or product pages, WebP is often the best default - as long as your audience uses modern browsers (which most do today).

• Excellent for web performance and SEO.
• Strong quality at smaller sizes.
• Great for both photos and mixed content.

Format choice will not fix a low-resolution merge. If the output looks blurry, the most common causes are: tiny source images, heavy downscaling, or exporting at a low resolution setting. For clean results, crop tighter, keep important content large, and export at higher resolution when needed. A slightly larger file that is readable is better than a tiny file that looks soft.

• Export higher when the merge includes small text.
• Avoid tiny panels in a large grid.
• Crop out empty margins to maximize usable pixels.

If you are unsure, answer these questions. Does the image include text or UI? Choose PNG (or lossless WebP if available). Is it mostly photography and you need a smaller file? Choose JPEG or WebP. Is it going on a website where speed matters? Choose WebP. Is transparency required? Choose PNG (or WebP with transparency support). Once you pick a format, do a final zoom check to confirm the merge still looks clean at the size people will actually see it.

• Text/UI: PNG.
• Photo-heavy: JPEG (or WebP).
• Web speed: WebP.
• Transparency: PNG.