JPG or PNG for Your Logo?
Always use PNG (or SVG) for logos — never JPG. Here is why the format choice matters and what to use for each context.
Why PNG wins for logos
- Transparency support — PNG allows transparent backgrounds; JPG always shows white/solid background
- Lossless compression — sharp edges and text stay crisp; JPG creates artifacts around lines
- Smaller at equal quality for graphics — logos have few colors, PNG compresses them efficiently
- No generation loss — re-saving PNG never degrades quality; each JPG save loses data
Format guide by use
| Use | Format | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Website header | PNG or SVG | Transparency, crisp edges |
| Email signature | PNG | Transparent background |
| Social media profile | PNG | Platform resizes cleanly |
| Print (CMYK) | EPS or PDF | Vector for scalability |
| Photo background only | JPG | If no transparency needed and photo-heavy |
Frequently Asked Questions
What about SVG for logos?
SVG is best for logos — infinitely scalable, tiny file size, and transparent. Use SVG as source, export PNG at specific sizes for systems that don't accept SVG.
Can I convert my JPG logo to PNG to add transparency?
Converting JPG to PNG makes it lossless going forward, but the white background remains. You need to remove the background first with a background remover.