Short answer: a transparent PNG stores an extra alpha channel that says how see-through each pixel is. JPG has no alpha channel, so it can't be transparent. If a PNG looks white, the app you're viewing it in is drawing a white background behind it.
What is an alpha channel?
Every pixel in a colour image has red, green and blue values. Formats like PNG and WebP add a fourth value — alpha — from 0 (fully transparent) to 255 (fully opaque). Values in between create soft edges, which is how hair and anti-aliased text blend smoothly into a new background.
Why does my transparent PNG look white?
Image viewers, email clients and messaging apps often show transparency as white (or black). The transparency is still there: drop the file into Canva, Figma, PowerPoint or a website and it'll sit on the background behind it.
Why JPG can't be transparent
JPG was designed for photos and only stores three colour channels. When you save a cut-out as JPG, the transparent areas must be filled with a colour — usually white. Use PNG for logos, stickers and cut-outs, and JPG only when you want a solid background.
How to make a real transparent PNG
- Open the transparent background maker.
- Upload your image.
- Keep the background on the checkerboard (transparent) and download.
| Format | Transparency | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| PNG | Yes (8-bit alpha) | Cut-outs, logos, graphics |
| WebP | Yes | Websites (smaller files) |
| JPG | No | Photos with a solid background |
