The JPG-vs-PNG decision comes down to one question: does compression get to be lossy? Everything else follows from the answer.
JPG and PNG: The Core Difference
JPG uses lossy compression — it permanently discards image data the algorithm judges the eye won't miss, to make the file smaller. For photographs with millions of gradually-shifting natural colours, that's nearly invisible. For anything with hard edges — text, logos, flat-colour graphics — the same discarding shows up as visible blurry halos and blocky patches, because there's no gradient to hide the loss in.
PNG uses lossless compression — every pixel comes back out exactly as it went in — and supports a true alpha (transparency) channel, which JPG's format spec has no provision for at all. That's not a missing feature JPG could add; transparency isn't representable in JPG's underlying color model.
When Should You Convert JPG to PNG?
- You need a transparent background: JPG cannot be transparent. If you want to place an image on a coloured background, a pattern, or another photo without a white box around it, you need PNG.
- Your image has text or sharp graphics: Screenshots, presentation slides, infographics, and anything with hard lines looks significantly better as PNG because there are no compression artifacts.
- You plan to edit and re-save the image multiple times: Each time you save a JPG it is recompressed, degrading quality progressively. PNG stays lossless.
- You need pixel-perfect accuracy: Medical images, technical diagrams, and images used as design assets should be PNG.
When You Should NOT Convert JPG to PNG
- For photographs where you just need to make the file smaller — PNG will actually be larger than JPG for photos with no quality benefit
- When the image will only be used on a website where loading speed is critical — use WebP instead, which is both transparent and small
An Important Note: Converting JPG to PNG Cannot "Fix" Quality
If your JPG was already compressed and has visible artifacts (blurriness, blocking, halos around text), converting it to PNG will not remove those artifacts. PNG stores exactly what it receives — including any damage already done by JPG compression. Always work from the highest-quality original file available.
How to Convert JPG to PNG on ILoveConvert
- Go to ILoveConvert Image Converter
- Upload your JPG file (up to 50 MB)
- Select PNG as the output format
- Click Convert
- Download your PNG file
The converter preserves the original image dimensions. If you also want to resize the image, use the width and height options available in the advanced settings.
File Size After Conversion
PNG files are generally larger than JPG for photographic content. A 500 KB JPG photograph might become a 2–4 MB PNG. This is normal and expected — PNG is preserving more information. If file size is a concern and you need transparency, consider WebP format instead, which offers both transparency and much smaller file sizes than PNG.