What you should know
PNG to JPEG is about making an opaque image lighter. PNG is perfect for graphics and transparency, but very heavy as soon as it holds a photograph or a gradient.
The conversion drops transparency — transparent areas become white or a chosen colour — and applies lossy compression. The size saving is often dramatic.
Strengths
- Very large size reduction on photographs
- Format read everywhere, including print services
- Adjustable quality depending on use
- Keeps dimensions and essential metadata
Limitations to know
- Transparency lost
- Lossy compression: edges and text less sharp
- Unsuitable for logos and screenshots
- Repeated saves degrade the image
When to use it
Convert PNG to JPEG when the image is an opaque photo meant to be sent, published or printed. If it contains transparency or text, keep PNG or move to WebP.
Quality, size and compatibility
A quality of 85–90% is enough for a photograph. Check gradient areas and dark edges: they are where compression shows first. If the image will be retouched later, keep the original PNG.
Frequently asked questions
- What happens to transparency?
- JPEG does not handle it: transparent areas are filled, often with white. If transparency matters, choose WebP or keep PNG.
- Is JPEG suitable for a screenshot?
- No: flat areas and text blur around edges. For a screenshot, prefer PNG or lossless WebP.