JPG, PNG, or PDF — Which File Format Should You Actually Use?
Every time you save an image or document, you face this question. And honestly? Most people just guess. Let's clear up the confusion once and for all.
The Quick Answer
If you're in a rush, here's the cheat sheet:
- Photos? JPG. Always.
- Graphics with text or logos? PNG.
- Documents to share? PDF.
- Screenshots? PNG.
- Anything that needs a transparent background? PNG.
Still confused? Keep reading. I'll explain why.
JPG: The Photo Format
JPG (also called JPEG) was literally invented for photographs. It's been around since 1992, and it's still the king for anything with lots of colors and gradients.
Use JPG when:
- You're dealing with photos
- File size matters more than perfect quality
- You're uploading to social media
- You don't need transparency
Don't use JPG when:
- Your image has text (it'll get fuzzy)
- You need a transparent background
- You're working with logos or icons
JPG uses “lossy” compression — every time you save, it loses a tiny bit of quality. Save the same JPG 50 times and it'll look terrible.
PNG: The Crisp Format
PNG came along in 1996 and solved JPG's biggest problems: fuzzy text and no transparency. If you need sharp edges or see-through backgrounds, PNG is your friend.
Use PNG when:
- Your image has text
- You need transparency
- You're working with logos, icons, or graphics
- You're taking screenshots
- Quality matters more than file size
Don't use PNG when:
- You're dealing with large photos (files get huge)
- You need small file sizes for the web
PNG uses “lossless” compression. Save it 1000 times, quality stays perfect. But the files are bigger.
PDF: The Document Format
PDF isn't really an image format — it's a document format. But people use it for images all the time, especially for sharing documents that include images.
Use PDF when:
- You're sharing documents that need to look the same everywhere
- You're combining multiple pages
- You need to preserve text, fonts, and layout
- You're sending something for print
Don't use PDF when:
- You just want to share a single photo
- The recipient needs to edit the content
Real-World Scenarios
Uploading vacation photos to Instagram?
→ JPG (Instagram prefers it anyway)
Sending your logo to a designer?
→ PNG (keeps the transparent background)
Emailing an invoice?
→ PDF (looks the same on every device)
Saving a screenshot of a bug?
→ PNG (text stays readable)
Creating a photo gallery for your website?
→ JPG (smaller files = faster loading)
Need to Convert?
Sometimes you've got the wrong format and need to switch. We've got you covered: