Meta Title: JPG vs PNG vs WEBP: Which Format to Use? | Expert Guide
Meta Description: Master JPG, PNG & WEBP formats. 15+ years photography expert reveals which format to use when. Plus conversion tips for perfect results.
During my 15 years specializing in passport photography and document imaging, I've converted tens of thousands of images between different formats. Every single day, clients ask me the same fundamental question: "Which format should I use?" The answer isn't straightforward—it depends on your specific needs, and choosing wrong can mean rejected applications, poor print quality, or unnecessarily bloated file sizes.
Last Tuesday, a corporate client came to my studio in a panic. They'd spent an entire day preparing 200 employee ID photos in PNG format, only to discover their badge printing system required JPG files under 100KB each. Their PNG files averaged 2MB. They needed the entire batch reconverted within hours for a morning deadline. This scenario happens more often than you'd think, and it's completely preventable with proper format knowledge.
Today, I'm sharing everything I've learned about JPG, PNG, and WEBP formats—when to use each one, how they differ technically, and most importantly, how to convert between them without destroying image quality. This isn't theoretical knowledge from textbooks; it's battle-tested wisdom from processing thousands of identification photos, visa applications, and professional documents.
Before diving into specific formats, you need to understand the fundamental difference between lossy and lossless compression. This concept has saved me from countless quality disasters in my professional practice.
Lossy compression discards some image data to achieve smaller file sizes. Think of it like summarizing a book—you keep the important parts but lose some details. JPG and WEBP use lossy compression. When done properly, the human eye can't detect the missing information, but aggressive compression creates visible artifacts.
Lossless compression reduces file size without discarding any image data. It's like compressing a zip file—you can extract the original perfectly. PNG uses lossless compression. You get perfect quality but larger file sizes.
I learned this distinction the hard way early in my career. I converted a client's passport photos to heavily compressed JPG to meet a file size requirement. The photos looked fine on screen, but when embassy officials examined them closely, compression artifacts around the eyes were visible. The application was rejected. Since then, I've been meticulous about compression levels.
JPG, technically JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), has been my workhorse format for passport photography since I started practicing in 2010. There's a reason it's dominated for three decades—it simply works.
Passport and visa applications: Every government system I've encountered accepts JPG. United States passport applications require JPG. UK visa applications require JPG. Canadian immigration requires JPG. The universal compatibility makes JPG the safe default for any official document photography.
Photographs with complex colors: JPG handles the subtle color gradations in human skin tones beautifully. When capturing passport photos, skin contains thousands of color variations—from the warm tones in cheeks to cooler tones in shadows. JPG's compression algorithm is specifically designed for photographic content.
File size restrictions: When applications limit uploads to 240KB or less (standard for many passport applications), JPG is often the only practical choice. I can compress a 5MB RAW passport photo down to 200KB as JPG while maintaining acceptable quality for identification purposes.
Web display of photos: Loading speed matters online. JPG files load significantly faster than PNG equivalents. When clients need photos for websites or online portfolios, JPG is almost always the better choice.
Text and sharp edges: JPG's compression creates artifacts around hard edges. If your image contains text, logos with sharp lines, or graphics with solid colors, JPG produces visible blur at compression boundaries. I learned this photographing ID badges with company logos—the logo edges looked fuzzy after JPG compression.
Transparency requirements: JPG doesn't support transparent backgrounds. If you need to overlay an image on different backgrounds, JPG forces you to include a solid background color.
Multiple editing rounds: JPG uses lossy compression, so each time you save after editing, quality degrades slightly. It's called "generational loss." For images requiring extensive editing, starting with JPG means cumulative quality deterioration.
In my studio workflow, I use JPG compression levels between 85-95% for passport photos. Below 85%, I start seeing artifacts around facial features—particularly troublesome around eyes and hairlines where detail matters for identification. Above 95%, file sizes balloon without perceptible quality improvement.
The optimal JPG quality setting depends on content. Simple backgrounds compress better than complex ones. A passport photo with a plain white background achieves excellent results at 85% quality. The same photo with a detailed background might need 90% quality to avoid artifacts.
I use ImageConverters.xyz for precise JPG compression control. Their advanced image converter lets me dial in exact quality levels while previewing results. This capability is invaluable when threading the needle between file size limits and quality requirements.
PNG (Portable Network Graphics) was developed specifically to address GIF's limitations and provide lossless web graphics. In my professional practice, PNG serves specific purposes where JPG fails.
Graphics and logos: PNG's lossless compression maintains perfect sharpness for text, logos, and graphics. When I photograph employee badges that include company logos, I initially save as PNG to preserve logo crispness. Conversion to JPG happens only as the final step if required by the badge printer.
Images requiring transparency: PNG supports alpha channel transparency, enabling overlay effects. For clients needing headshots for green screen replacement or composite imagery, PNG preserves transparency information that JPG discards.
Images needing multiple edits: Because PNG is lossless, you can save repeatedly without quality degradation. When I'm fine-tuning passport photos—adjusting exposure, removing blemishes, correcting color balance—I work with PNG until final export. This prevents cumulative quality loss from multiple save operations.
Screenshots and digital graphics: Computer-generated images often contain large areas of solid color and sharp edges. PNG compresses these efficiently while maintaining perfect quality. Screenshots, charts, and diagrams all benefit from PNG format.
Photographs destined for web use: PNG files of photographs are 3-5 times larger than equivalent JPG files. A 5MB photograph might compress to 1MB as JPG but remain 3-4MB as PNG. This file size difference significantly impacts website loading speed.
Strict file size limitations: Most passport and visa applications limit uploads to 240KB-500KB. A typical passport photo saved as PNG might be 2-3MB—impossible to submit. Converting to JPG becomes necessary, making PNG's lossless advantage irrelevant for the final deliverable.
Storage constraints: If you're managing large photo collections, PNG's file sizes quickly consume storage. My archive of 10,000+ passport photos would require terabytes if stored as PNG rather than JPG.
I maintain a hybrid workflow leveraging PNG's strengths while acknowledging its limitations. Original captures are RAW. Initial edits produce PNG masters for archival. Final deliverables are JPG compressed to meet specific requirements.
When clients need both print and web versions, I create PNG masters at maximum quality, then generate multiple JPG variants optimized for different uses—high-resolution JPG for printing, medium compression for email attachments, and aggressive compression for web display.
The ImageConverters.xyz platform makes this multi-format workflow efficient. I can batch convert PNG masters to various JPG specifications simultaneously, rather than processing each version individually.
Google introduced WEBP in 2010, promising smaller file sizes than JPG with better quality. After initially dismissing it as yet another proprietary format, I've gradually incorporated WEBP into my workflow—with important caveats based on professional experience.
Modern website usage: WEBP files are typically 25-35% smaller than equivalent JPG files at the same visual quality. For photographer portfolios and galleries on modern websites, this file size reduction significantly improves loading speed without sacrificing image quality.
Supporting both lossy and lossless: Unlike JPG (only lossy) and PNG (only lossless), WEBP supports both modes. This flexibility allows choosing optimal compression for specific images. Photographs use lossy WEBP. Graphics use lossless WEBP.
Advanced compression: WEBP's algorithm is simply better than JPG's three-decade-old technology. In side-by-side comparisons, WEBP maintains better quality at smaller file sizes, particularly in areas with color gradients—crucial for portrait photography.
Transparency support with lossy compression: PNG offers transparency but only with lossless compression (large files). WEBP provides transparency with lossy compression—perfect for web graphics needing transparency without massive file sizes.
Universal compatibility issues: This is WEBP's Achilles heel. Not a single government passport application I've encountered accepts WEBP format. Many older email clients can't display WEBP images. Some professional printing systems reject WEBP files.
I learned this lesson painfully. A corporate client requested employee headshots for their internal system. I delivered WEBP files for the stated efficiency benefits. Their legacy HR software, running on older infrastructure, couldn't process WEBP. I had to reconvert everything to JPG—wasted time and professional embarrassment.
Limited software support: While major browsers support WEBP, many photo editing applications still lack native support or require plugins. This creates workflow friction when clients need to edit images themselves.
Desktop and mobile app limitations: Native image viewers on many operating systems can't open WEBP files. Clients opening images on their computers sometimes can't view WEBP files without installing additional software.
My current approach: WEBP is excellent for web-specific uses where I control the display environment, but JPG remains my default for broad compatibility.
For photographer portfolios on modern CMS platforms (WordPress with appropriate plugins, modern static site generators), WEBP provides measurable performance benefits. I convert gallery images to WEBP, serving them to modern browsers while falling back to JPG for older browsers.
However, for any image leaving my control—client deliverables, passport applications, images for printing, files for professional collaboration—I stick with JPG or PNG. The compatibility risks outweigh WEBP's technical advantages.
When conversion is needed, ImageConverters.xyz handles WEBP excellently. Their converter produces high-quality WEBP files and handles conversions from WEBP to more compatible formats when necessary. I frequently use it when clients accidentally provide WEBP files needing conversion to JPG for passport applications.
Let me share concrete data from my professional testing. I took a standard passport photo—plain white background, proper lighting, neutral expression—and saved it in multiple formats at various quality levels. Here are the results:
Original RAW file: 24.3MB
PNG (lossless): 2.8MB – perfect quality, no artifacts visible even at 400% zoom
JPG (95% quality): 1.1MB – indistinguishable from PNG at normal viewing, very minor artifacts visible only at 400% zoom in high-frequency areas
JPG (85% quality): 480KB – excellent quality, barely perceptible artifacts at 200% zoom, perfectly acceptable for passport applications
JPG (70% quality): 240KB – noticeable artifacts around hairline and in shadow areas, borderline acceptable for less critical uses
JPG (50% quality): 120KB – obvious quality degradation, blocky artifacts, unacceptable for professional use
WEBP (lossy, equivalent to JPG 85%): 340KB – better quality than JPG 85% at smaller file size, but compatibility concerns remain
WEBP (lossless): 2.1MB – slightly smaller than PNG with identical visual quality
This testing reinforced lessons I've learned through thousands of conversions: JPG at 85-90% quality hits the sweet spot for most passport photography needs. PNG makes sense only when lossless quality is mandatory or transparency is required. WEBP is technically superior but practically limited by compatibility.
After 15 years, I've developed a systematic approach to format selection. Here's my decision-making framework:
Step 1: Is this for government/official use?
Step 2: Does it need transparency?
Step 3: Is it a photograph or graphic?
Step 4: Are there strict file size limits?
Step 5: Is web display the primary use?
This framework has solved 95% of format decisions in my professional practice. The remaining 5% require case-by-case judgment based on specific client requirements.
Converting between formats is where most people destroy image quality unnecessarily. Let me share professional techniques for quality-preserving conversion.
This is my most common conversion task. Government applications require JPG, but I often work with PNG masters for quality reasons during editing.
My process:
Critical insight: Convert directly from PNG to final JPG once. Avoid intermediate conversions (PNG → JPG → edit → save JPG again) because each JPG save degrades quality further.
This conversion is lossless in terms of not degrading quality further, but it can't recover quality already lost from JPG compression.
When this makes sense:
When this doesn't make sense:
I use ImageConverters.xyz's advanced converter for JPG to PNG conversion when preparing files for extensive editing or when clients request PNG versions for their own processing.
WEBP conversions require the most careful quality verification because compression algorithms differ significantly from JPG.
PNG/JPG to WEBP:
WEBP to JPG/PNG:
The ImageConverters.xyz platform handles WEBP conversions smoothly, which isn't universal among converters. Many basic converters struggle with WEBP or produce suboptimal results.
Mistake 1: Using PNG for Everything New photographers often save everything as PNG thinking "higher quality is always better." Result: Massive file sizes, slow website loading, storage consumed unnecessarily. PNG is fantastic when you need it, wasteful when you don't.
Mistake 2: Over-Compressing JPG Files Trying to hit file size requirements by compressing JPG to 50% or lower quality. Better approach: Reduce pixel dimensions first, then compress moderately. A 600×600 pixel image at 85% quality is superior to a 1200×1200 image at 50% quality for the same file size.
Mistake 3: Converting JPG to PNG Expecting Quality Improvement This happens weekly. Clients think converting low-quality JPG to PNG will somehow improve quality. It won't. You can't add back information already discarded during JPG compression.
Mistake 4: Using WEBP for Universal Distribution Tech-savvy clients sometimes insist on WEBP for everything because "it's technically better." Then they're frustrated when passport applications reject it, email recipients can't view it, or printing services refuse it. Technical superiority doesn't override compatibility reality.
Mistake 5: Not Checking File Size After Conversion Converting format doesn't automatically meet file size requirements. Always verify. I've seen clients convert to JPG, assume it's under the limit, and discover during submission that their 800KB JPG still exceeds the 240KB requirement.
Throughout this article, I've referenced ImageConverters.xyz repeatedly because it's my daily workhorse for format conversions. Let me explain specifically why it excels for this particular task.
Format support breadth: It handles JPG, PNG, WEBP, and dozens of other formats seamlessly. When a client provides an unexpected format (HEIC from iPhone, TIFF from professional scan, BMP from legacy system), ImageConverters.xyz processes it without complaint.
Quality control: The advanced converter provides granular quality settings. I can specify exact compression percentages, allowing me to hit precise file size targets while maximizing quality.
Batch processing: When converting 50 PNG files to JPG for a corporate project, batch processing is mandatory. Upload all files, select settings once, convert simultaneously. This saves hours compared to individual conversions.
No quality surprises: Some converters apply hidden compression or resizing. ImageConverters.xyz does exactly what you specify—no more, no less. This predictability is crucial for professional work.
Speed and reliability: Conversions complete in seconds. In 15 years, I've encountered countless converter tools that occasionally crash, produce corrupted files, or mysteriously fail. ImageConverters.xyz has proven consistently reliable.
Privacy consideration: The privacy policy clearly states images aren't permanently stored—important when handling identification documents. I confidently refer clients to convert their own passport photos knowing their sensitive images won't be retained.
For users seeking more information about the platform's capabilities and commitment to user needs, the about us page provides helpful context about their approach to image conversion.
Modern smartphones have revolutionized photography, but they've also introduced format complications. Understanding mobile-specific format issues is increasingly important.
iPhone HEIC challenge: Since iPhone 7, Apple defaults to HEIC format (High Efficiency Image Container). HEIC produces smaller files than JPG at equivalent quality, but compatibility is terrible. Most passport applications reject HEIC. Many email recipients can't view it. Professional systems don't support it.
My standard advice for iPhone users: Change camera settings to save as JPG, or convert immediately after capture using ImageConverters.xyz on your phone. The mobile interface works perfectly for converting HEIC to JPG right after taking passport photos.
Android variety: Android phones save as JPG by default, but some high-end models offer RAW or other formats. For passport photography, stick with JPG or convert immediately.
Quality vs. storage tradeoffs: Phones offer quality settings (high, medium, low). For passport photos, always use highest quality setting, then convert with controlled compression if file size reduction is needed. Starting with low-quality phone capture can't be fixed later.
While my specialty is passport photography (primarily digital submission), I regularly print photos for traditional passport applications and other official documents. Format choice impacts print quality significantly.
For professional printing: PNG or high-quality JPG (95%+) at 300 DPI minimum. Most professional photo printers accept both formats. PNG ensures no additional quality loss during printing process. JPG at 95% quality is visually indistinguishable in prints.
For home printing: JPG at 90% quality typically suffices for home photo printers. File sizes are manageable, quality is excellent for typical viewing distances.
For passport photo printing: Standard 2×2 inch passport photos require 600×600 pixels at 300 DPI. I provide clients with JPG files at 90% quality—perfect balance of quality and file size. These print beautifully on any photo paper.
WEBP for printing: Most professional photo printing services don't accept WEBP. Convert to JPG or PNG before sending to printers. I learned this when a print order was rejected because I accidentally included WEBP files—another reminder that bleeding-edge formats create compatibility friction.
Tip 1: Maintain RAW or PNG masters Never work exclusively with JPG. Keep highest-quality masters (RAW from camera, or PNG after initial editing). Generate JPG versions as needed for specific uses. This approach maintains flexibility—you can always generate new JPGs with different compression, but you can't recover quality from over-compressed JPGs.
Tip 2: Create preset specifications I maintain a document listing optimal settings for common use cases:
Having preset specifications eliminates guesswork and ensures consistency.
Tip 3: Always verify before final delivery Open every converted file at 200% zoom. Check facial features for artifacts. Verify file size meets requirements. Confirm format is correct. This 30-second quality check prevents rejection and re-work.
Tip 4: Document your workflow I maintain detailed notes about conversion settings that worked for specific applications. When clients return months later needing the same specifications, I reference my notes rather than rediscovering optimal settings through trial and error.
Tip 5: Educate clients about format realities I provide every client with a simple format guide including links to ImageConverters.xyz and the home page so they can convert images independently if needed. Empowered clients make fewer panicked phone calls.
Issue: JPG colors look different after conversion Cause: Color space mismatch (Adobe RGB vs sRGB). Government applications expect sRGB. Solution: Use converters that properly handle color space conversion. ImageConverters.xyz automatically converts to sRGB, preventing this issue.
Issue: PNG file size is enormous Cause: Complex photographic content doesn't compress well with PNG's lossless algorithm. Solution: PNG isn't the right format for photographs unless transparency or perfect quality is mandatory. Convert to JPG with 85-90% quality.
Issue: WEBP won't display in email Cause: Many email clients don't support WEBP format. Solution: Convert to JPG before emailing using ImageConverters.xyz. Alternatively, attach both WEBP and JPG versions for recipient flexibility.
Issue: Converted JPG has visible blocking artifacts Cause: Compression quality too low, or image contains high-frequency details (fine hair, intricate patterns). Solution: Increase JPG quality setting to 90-95%, or reduce image dimensions slightly to allow higher quality at same file size.
Issue: Government portal rejects converted image Cause: Multiple possibilities—wrong format, excessive file size, incorrect dimensions, or corrupted file. Solution: Verify format is exactly JPG (not JPEG2000 or other variants), check file size is under limit, confirm dimensions meet specifications, try converting again with fresh source file.
Image format technology continues evolving. Understanding emerging trends helps future-proof your workflow.
AVIF (AV1 Image File Format): Newer than WEBP, offering even better compression. Some tests show 50% smaller files than JPG at equivalent quality. However, adoption is minimal currently. Not recommended for professional use yet due to compatibility concerns.
JPEG XL: Intended as JPG's true successor, offering better compression and more features while maintaining backward compatibility with traditional JPG. Adoption is uncertain—browser support is inconsistent.
Continued WEBP growth: WEBP adoption increases steadily. More browsers, more CMSs, more platforms support it. Within 3-5 years, WEBP may achieve broad enough adoption for professional document photography use. Currently, I monitor but don't depend on it for critical applications.
JPG remains king: Despite technical superiority of newer formats, JPG's universal compatibility ensures its continued dominance for passport photography and official documents. I don't foresee this changing in the next decade.
PNG stability: PNG occupies a secure niche for graphics, logos, and transparency needs. No emerging format threatens PNG's position for these specific uses.
My professional strategy: Master JPG and PNG thoroughly, use WEBP selectively for appropriate contexts, monitor emerging formats but don't depend on them for critical work.
Let me share format recommendations for common scenarios I encounter:
Passport/Visa Applications: JPG exclusively, 85-90% quality, compressed to meet size limits
Corporate ID Badges: Initial capture PNG (preserves logo sharpness), convert to JPG for badge printer if required
Website Photography Portfolio: WEBP with JPG fallback for maximum performance
Professional Photo Printing: PNG or JPG 95%+ quality at 300 DPI
Email Attachments: JPG at 80-85% quality, balance quality and attachment size
Social Media Sharing: JPG at 85% quality (platforms will recompress anyway)
Archive/Master Files: PNG or TIFF for lossless archival
Quick Screenshot Sharing: PNG for graphics/text, JPG for photograph screenshots
E-commerce Product Photos: WEBP for web performance, JPG fallback for compatibility
Government Document Scans: JPG for photographs, PNG for documents with text
Here's my actual studio workflow showing how format conversion integrates into professional practice:
Step 1: Capture in RAW Professional camera captures in RAW format, providing maximum editing flexibility and quality.
Step 2: Initial Processing Import to Lightroom, adjust exposure, color balance, minor retouching. Export as PNG at maximum quality—this becomes my master file.
Step 3: Create Format Variants Using ImageConverters.xyz, I create multiple versions:
Step 4: Quality Verification Open each converted file, zoom to 200%, verify facial features remain crisp, confirm file sizes meet requirements.
Step 5: Client Delivery Provide appropriate formats based on client needs, include instructions for any self-service conversion they might need later, reference ImageConverters.xyz for future conversions.
Step 6: Archival Store PNG masters and RAW files with detailed metadata. Delete intermediate files after 90 days to manage storage.
This systematic approach ensures quality, meets varied requirements, and maintains efficiency.
Premium image converters exist with subscription models charging $5-50 monthly. Having tested many premium options, I've concluded free converters like ImageConverters.xyz adequately serve professional needs.
Why premium often isn't worth it:
When premium might make sense:
For 95% of photographers and all casual users, free converters provide everything necessary. I've built a successful 15-year practice using primarily free conversion tools, including extensive use of ImageConverters.xyz.
Money spent on premium converters is better invested in quality lighting equipment, better cameras, or marketing to attract more clients.
When handling client identification photos, legal considerations matter beyond just image quality.
Privacy protection: Convert images using services with clear privacy policies. The privacy policy at ImageConverters.xyz explicitly addresses image handling—important for professional practice. Images processed for conversion shouldn't be retained on servers permanently.
Terms of service: Understanding the terms and conditions of conversion services protects both you and clients. Know what rights you're granting when uploading images.
Client consent: I maintain signed releases permitting me to process client photos through online tools. This protects against privacy complaints.
Data retention: My policy retains client photos for 7 years (matching legal document retention requirements), then securely deletes them. Format masters and conversions all follow this retention schedule.
Compliance with regulations: Different jurisdictions have varying regulations about biometric data (which passport photos constitute in many legal frameworks). Understanding these regulations ensures compliant practices.
For questions about usage policies and limitations, the disclaimer page provides important information about appropriate use of conversion services.
When conversion issues arise, knowing where to find help matters.
Self-service resources: The ImageConverters.xyz home page includes basic guides for common conversion tasks. Starting here resolves most routine questions.
Contact support: For specific technical issues, the contact page provides ways to reach support. I've used this when encountering unusual format compatibility issues.
Community knowledge: Photography forums and communities often discuss format conversion challenges. Fellow photographers' experiences provide valuable troubleshooting insights.
Testing and verification: When unsure about conversion settings, test with non-critical images first. Better to discover issues during testing than with actual client photos under deadline pressure.
After 15 years specializing in passport photography and processing tens of thousands of identification photos, my format philosophy is pragmatic: choose the right tool for the specific job.
JPG is my workhorse—universal compatibility, excellent quality-to-size ratio, perfect for passport applications and most photography uses.
PNG serves specific needs—transparency requirements, lossless quality for extensive editing, graphics and logos.
WEBP has technical merit but practical limitations—great for modern websites, problematic for broad compatibility.
The format you choose matters less than understanding why you're choosing it. Random guessing creates problems. Informed decisions prevent rejection and re-work.
Quality conversion tools like ImageConverters.xyz make format differences manageable. Rather than being locked into a single format, you can fluidly convert between formats as needs change—PNG masters become JPG deliverables, HEIC phone photos become compatible JPGs, large files become application-ready compressed versions.
The key insight from 15 years of professional practice: Format is a tool, not a religion. Use JPG when compatibility matters. Use PNG when quality or transparency matters. Use WEBP when performance matters and compatibility is assured. Convert between them confidently using quality tools.
Master these three formats and appropriate conversion techniques, and you'll handle 99% of real-world photography format challenges. The remaining 1% of edge cases you'll solve as they arise—that's what makes photography an ongoing learning experience even after 15 years.
Q: Is JPG or PNG better quality?
A: PNG is technically lossless while JPG uses lossy compression, but in practical terms, high-quality JPG (90%+ compression) is visually indistinguishable from PNG for photographs. I've conducted side-by-side comparisons hundreds of times in my professional practice—even at 200% zoom, properly compressed JPG and PNG are nearly identical. The real difference is file size: PNG photographs are typically 3-5 times larger than equivalent JPG files. For passport photography and most professional uses, JPG at 85-90% quality provides excellent results at manageable file sizes. PNG makes sense only when you need transparency or will perform extensive additional editing without quality loss. Use ImageConverters.xyz to convert between formats while maintaining maximum quality.
Q: Should I use WEBP for my website?
A: For modern websites with current audience browser usage, yes—WEBP provides 25-35% file size reduction compared to JPG at equivalent visual quality, significantly improving page load speed. However, implement with JPG fallback for older browsers. I use WEBP for my photography portfolio with automatic fallback to JPG for browsers not supporting WEBP. Never use WEBP exclusively without fallback, as some visitors won't see your images. For passport application images or any official document photography, stick with JPG—government systems universally accept JPG but rarely support WEB