Guide · 5 min read
JPG vs PNG for Product Photos: Which Format Should You Use?
When to choose JPG and when PNG makes sense for ecommerce images, with examples for photos, transparent cutouts, size charts, and infographics.
The one-sentence answer
Use JPG for photographs and PNG for graphics with flat colors, sharp text, or transparency. Most product images are photographs, so most product images should be JPG.
How the two formats differ
JPG (also written JPEG) uses lossy compression designed for photographs. It discards detail the eye is unlikely to notice, which makes files dramatically smaller. It does not support transparency.
PNG uses lossless compression. Every pixel is stored exactly, which is ideal for logos, screenshots, and text, and it supports transparent backgrounds. For photographs, though, lossless storage produces very large files because photos contain millions of slightly different colors.
When to use JPG
- Main product photos on white or colored backgrounds.
- Lifestyle and in-use photos.
- Close-ups of materials and textures.
- Any image where file size and page speed matter, which is almost every product page.
When to use PNG
- Cutout product images that need a transparent background, for example to place on a colored banner in your own store theme.
- Size charts, comparison tables, and infographics with small text.
- Logos and badges used in your store design.
Note that marketplaces such as Amazon require a white background for the main image rather than a transparent one. A transparent PNG may be displayed on white, but exporting a JPG on a true white background gives you predictable results.
What about WebP and AVIF?
WebP and AVIF are newer formats that produce smaller files than JPG at similar quality. Many platforms, including Shopify, already convert your uploads into these formats automatically when a shopper's browser supports them. Because marketplace upload support for these formats varies, uploading a well-prepared JPG is still the most compatible choice. Image Ready accepts WebP files as input and exports JPG or PNG for that reason.
A quick decision guide
- Is it a photograph? Use JPG at quality 80 to 90.
- Does it need a transparent background? Use PNG.
- Is it mostly text, lines, or flat colors? Use PNG.
- Unsure? Export both and compare file size and appearance at full size.