JPG vs PNG vs WebP for Social Exports
The right image format depends on content type, not habit. Social platforms often recompress uploads, so starting with an appropriate source file can reduce visible quality loss.
| Format | Best For | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| JPG | Photos, gradients, natural textures | Artifacts around sharp text at low quality settings |
| PNG | UI graphics, logos, hard edges, transparency | Larger file size can trigger platform recompression |
| WebP | Modern balance of quality and size | Compatibility checks for older downstream workflows |
Quick decision framework
- photo-heavy creative: start with JPG around balanced quality settings
- text-heavy or vector-style graphics: start with PNG
- if supported by your publishing path: test WebP for size savings
Why this matters for social platforms
If your source file is already over-compressed, platform recompression compounds softness. If your source file is too large, platforms may recompress aggressively. Start with clean but efficient exports for best results.