JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) is the most widely used format for photographs and complex images. It uses lossy compression, meaning it reduces file size by slightly lowering image quality—a trade-off that works well for high-color images like photos, product shots, and detailed graphics. JPEGs are perfect when you need a small file size without drastically compromising visual quality.  They’re supported by all browsers and devices, making them a safe choice for general use. 

However, JPEGs don’t support transparency, so they’re not ideal for logos or graphics requiring a transparent background. Additionally, excessive compression can lead to visible artifacts (blurry or pixelated areas). If your priority is fast-loading, high-quality images for blogs, social media, or e-commerce, JPEG is a reliable option—but consider balancing compression to avoid noticeable quality loss.

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is a lossless format, meaning it retains full quality even after compression. Unlike JPEG, PNG supports transparency, making it perfect for logos, icons, and graphics with sharp edges or text. Because it doesn’t lose detail during compression, PNG is excellent for screenshots, infographics, and any image where clarity is essential. 

The downside? PNG files are larger than JPEGs, which can slow down page loading if overused. They’re also unnecessary for photographs since JPEG or WebP can achieve similar visual quality with smaller file sizes. Use PNG when you need crisp text, transparency, or lossless quality, but avoid it for large photo galleries where file size impacts performance.