JPG vs PNG vs WebP for Product Images: Which Format to Use Where

JPG vs PNG vs WebP for product images: use JPG for most product photos, because it gives small files and every marketplace accepts it. Use PNG only when you need transparency or crisp text graphics. Use WebP on your own website for speed, but Shopify already converts images to WebP automatically, so upload JPG or PNG there.

The format you export in affects three things: whether a marketplace accepts the file, how fast your store loads, and whether edges, gradients and transparency survive. The differences are simple once you see them side by side. This guide compares the three formats, lists what Amazon, Etsy, Shopify and eBay accept, explains color profiles and compression settings, and ends with a table of what to export for each use.

JPG vs PNG vs WebP: what's the difference?

JPG compresses photos by discarding detail the eye barely notices, PNG keeps every pixel and supports transparency, and WebP can do either, usually at a smaller file size.

Google, which developed WebP, reports lossy WebP files are about 25–34% smaller than comparable JPGs and lossless WebP about 26% smaller than PNG. Exact savings depend on the image. File sizes in the table are rough and vary with detail and background.

Which image formats do marketplaces accept?

JPG is accepted everywhere and is the safe default. PNG is also widely accepted. WebP support varies, so don't rely on it for marketplace uploads. If a supplier or website gave you WebP files, our free WebP to JPG converter turns them into JPGs in your browser.

Accepted file formats and size limits for Amazon, Etsy, Shopify and eBay were checked in October 2026. Marketplaces change their rules, so confirm the current requirements in your seller dashboard before you upload a large batch.

For the full size and background rules, see Amazon product image requirements and Shopify product image size.

Does Shopify convert images to WebP?

Yes. Shopify's CDN has served WebP to browsers that support it since 2019, and added AVIF in 2022, with no settings to change. Browsers that don't support them get the original JPG or PNG. That means converting to WebP before uploading to Shopify gains you little; uploading a good-quality JPG or PNG gives Shopify the best source to work from. The automatic conversion applies to images served from Shopify's CDN, not images hosted elsewhere and linked in.

On WooCommerce, other WordPress stores or a custom site, WebP is worth setting up yourself, through an image optimization plugin or your CDN, because product images are usually the heaviest part of a page.

When should you use PNG for product images?

Use PNG when you need transparency, when the image is mostly text or flat graphics, or when you're saving a master file you'll edit again.

• Transparent cutouts for placing products on your own backgrounds, banners, ads and mockups. JPG can't store transparency; a transparent area saved as JPG turns white or black.
• Infographics and comparison charts with small text, where JPG compression can blur letters and leave halos around them.
• Logos and badges with sharp edges and flat color.
• Master files you'll re-edit, since PNG doesn't degrade with each save. If you only have a JPG, our free JPG to PNG converter stops further loss from later saves, though it can't restore detail the JPG already lost.

Is WebP good for product images?

Yes, for your own website: it gives smaller files at the same visual quality and supports transparency, so pages load faster. For marketplace uploads, JPG is safer, because not every platform accepts WebP and some convert or reject it. WebP can also be awkward in older desktop software and some email clients, so keep a JPG or PNG master of every image.

What color profile should product images use?

sRGB. It's the standard for the web and what most screens, browsers and marketplaces assume. Images saved in Adobe RGB, ProPhoto RGB or CMYK can look flat or color-shifted once uploaded.

1. Edit in whatever profile you like, but convert to sRGB on export (in Photoshop: Edit > Convert to Profile, or tick "Convert to sRGB" in Export As).
2. Embed the color profile in the file if your software offers it.
3. Never upload CMYK files; that's a print format. Amazon accepts CMYK but prefers RGB because CMYK can show color shifts.
4. Recent iPhones and some Android phones shoot in Display P3. Most platforms handle it, but converting to sRGB on export gives the most predictable color across devices.

How much should you compress product images?

For JPG, export at quality 80–90. That's usually indistinguishable from maximum quality at a fraction of the size. To compress or convert a batch at once, our free image compressor takes up to 20 JPG, PNG, WebP or iPhone HEIC files and exports JPG, WebP or PNG, with an optional size cap.

• Avoid re-saving JPGs repeatedly. Each save loses a little quality. Edit from a PNG or original and export a JPG once.
• Watch gradients and plain backgrounds. Over-compressed JPGs show banding and blocky artifacts on smooth white or colored backgrounds first.
• Resize before compressing. A 4000 px photo at quality 60 looks worse than a 2000 px photo at quality 85, and can be larger.

Which format should you export for each use?

Whatever the format, give files a descriptive name like blue-ceramic-mug-front.jpg and add product image alt text when you upload.

Image formats in AiArter

• White and color background images (4 credits) come out as JPG at 2000×2000, ready for marketplace upload.
• Transparent cutouts (4 credits) come out as PNG with the transparency kept, for banners, ads and your own compositions.
• Upscale (3 credits) a small source photo with the AI image upscaler before export so it reaches zoom size.
• Bulk: up to 50 photos per batch through the bulk background remover, downloaded as one ZIP.

Frequently asked questions

Is JPG or PNG better for product photos?

JPG is better for most product photos because files are much smaller with no visible quality loss at quality 80 to 90, and every marketplace accepts it. Use PNG when you need a transparent background or the image contains small text.

Should I use WebP for product images?

Use WebP on your own website for faster pages. For marketplace uploads, JPG is safer because not every platform accepts WebP. Shopify converts to WebP automatically, so upload JPG or PNG there.

What image format does Amazon accept?

Amazon accepts JPEG, TIFF, PNG and non-animated GIF, and recommends JPEG. RGB color is preferred over CMYK.

Does Etsy accept PNG or WebP?

Etsy accepts JPG, PNG and static GIF. WebP support isn't confirmed, so export JPG or PNG, and keep files around 1 MB for reliable uploads.

Why does my PNG have a white or black background after upload?

Either the file was saved as JPG, which can't store transparency, or the platform flattened it onto a background color. Check that you exported PNG with the alpha channel, and upload a white version where a white main image is required.

What is the best file size for product images?

Around 1 to 3 MB for marketplace uploads at 2000 pixels, under 1 MB for Etsy, and roughly 100 to 300 KB for images on your own website. Export JPG at quality 80 to 90 in sRGB.