PNG, JPEG, WebP or PSD: which format should you save?
The right file format depends on what the image is and where it will be used. Choose File → Export as to pick one. The dialog also shows the estimated file size and lets you scale the result.
PNG
PNG is lossless: every pixel is saved exactly. It supports transparency. Use it for logos, icons, screenshots, drawings, text and anything that needs sharp edges or a transparent background. Photographs saved as PNG are much larger than the same photo as JPEG or WebP.
JPEG
JPEG is the classic format for photographs. It makes files small by discarding detail you are unlikely to notice. It does not support transparency, so transparent areas are filled with white. Quality 80–90% is a good balance for most pictures; below about 60% blocky artifacts appear around edges. Never save a JPEG again and again, because every save loses a little more quality.
WebP
WebP gives smaller files than JPEG at similar quality and also supports transparency, so it is a good choice for web pages. All current browsers can show WebP, but some older programs and email clients cannot. Whether the browser can create WebP depends on the browser; if it cannot, the editor saves a PNG instead and names the file accordingly.
PSD
PSD keeps layers, masks and adjustment layers. It is not a format for sharing: use it for work in progress that you want to continue editing in WebPixEdit or Photoshop. PSD files are large because they contain all layers.
Quick comparison
| Format | Transparency | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| PNG | Yes | Graphics, screenshots, logos, anything sharp |
| JPEG | No | Photographs for sharing and printing |
| WebP | Yes | Photographs and graphics for websites |
| PSD | Yes (layers) | Unfinished work with layers |
Size and scale
The scale slider in the export dialog resizes the result without changing your document. Choosing 50% saves an image half as wide and half as tall, which is usually about a quarter of the file size. Use it to create web or social media versions from a large original.
More guides
- How to correct the colors and brightness of a photoFix dull, dark or color-cast photos with levels, curves and hue/saturation, using adjustment layers you can change later.
- Layer masks explained: edit without deleting anythingLearn what a layer mask is, how to paint one, and how to combine two photos with a smooth transition.
- Opening and saving PSD files in the browserHow PSD files are handled: which layers, masks and effects are kept, what the “flattened” option means, and tips for saving.
- Which selection tool should you use?Rectangle, ellipse, lasso, polygonal lasso, magic wand and color range compared, with tips for clean selection edges.