# JPG vs PNG: which image format is better?

Source: https://www.mergevanta.com/compare/jpg-vs-png
Published: 2026-10-21
Updated: 2026-10-21
Author: Mergevanta

> JPG vs PNG compared on compression, quality, transparency and file size — and which format to use for photos, screenshots, scans and PDFs.

## In short: What is the difference between JPG and PNG?

JPG uses lossy compression, so photos stay small but lose a little detail each time they are saved. PNG is lossless and supports transparency, so screenshots, logos and text stay perfectly sharp at a larger file size. Use JPG for photos and PNG for screenshots, graphics and anything with text.

## JPG vs PNG at a glance

|  | JPG (JPEG) | PNG |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossless |
| Transparency | No | Yes |
| File size for photos | Small | Much larger |
| Sharp text and lines | Can blur or show artefacts | Stays crisp |
| Colour depth | 8 bits per channel | Up to 16 bits per channel |
| Best for | Photos and colour scans | Screenshots, logos, diagrams and text |

## Which is better for a PDF?

For photos and colour scans, JPG keeps the PDF small. For screenshots, charts and pages of text, PNG stays sharper. Mergevanta embeds both without re-compressing them, so the PDF keeps exactly the quality of your originals — use [JPG to PDF](https://www.mergevanta.com/jpg-to-pdf), [PNG to PDF](https://www.mergevanta.com/png-to-pdf) or [Images to PDF](https://www.mergevanta.com/images-to-pdf) for a mix.

## Does converting between them lose quality?

Saving a PNG as a JPG applies lossy compression, and any transparent areas become a solid colour. Saving a JPG as a PNG doesn't bring back detail that was already lost — it only stops further loss from future saves.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is PNG higher quality than JPG?

PNG is lossless, so it keeps every pixel exactly. For photos the difference is often invisible at normal JPG quality settings, but for text, line art and screenshots PNG is noticeably sharper.

### Why is my PNG file so large?

Lossless compression can't shrink photographic detail much, so a photo saved as PNG is often several times larger than the same photo saved as a JPG.

### Which format should I use for scanned documents?

Use PNG, or a high-quality JPG, for scans of text so the letters stay sharp, and use JPG for colour photo scans to keep files small.

### Can one PDF contain both JPG and PNG images?

Yes. A PDF can hold images of different formats on different pages, and [Images to PDF](https://www.mergevanta.com/images-to-pdf) accepts both in one batch.

Free tools: [JPG to PDF](https://www.mergevanta.com/jpg-to-pdf), [PNG to PDF](https://www.mergevanta.com/png-to-pdf), [Images to PDF](https://www.mergevanta.com/images-to-pdf)