IMAGE FORMAT GUIDE
PNG vs JPEG vs WebP vs AVIF (2026): Which Image Format Should You Use?
Every time you “Save for Web” there’s a dropdown of formats and you pick… whatever. The choice matters a lot: the right format can make an image 10–20× smaller with no visible loss, or it can turn a crisp logo into a fuzzy, haloed mess. This guide breaks down PNG, JPEG, WebP, AVIF, GIF, HEIC, and TIFF — what each is for, where each wins, and a quick‑pick decision table so you stop guessing.
Why the Format Choice Actually Matters
An image file is just instructions for reconstructing pixels, and every format makes different trade‑offs:
- Compression & size. Lossy formats (JPEG, WebP, AVIF) throw away data you rarely notice; lossless (PNG) keeps every pixel but the file is bigger.
- Features. Some support transparency (PNG, WebP, AVIF, GIF), some support animation (GIF, animated WebP/AVIF), some support wide colour / HDR (AVIF, HEIC).
- Compatibility. JPEG and PNG open everywhere; AVIF/WebP don’t on older systems; HEIC is Apple‑centric.
Pick wrong and you either waste bandwidth (huge PNGs on a webpage) or quality (a JPEG‑saved logo with ugly halos). Pick right and the page loads twice as fast with zero visual compromise.
Quick Comparison Table
| Format | Lossy? | Transparency | Animation | Colour depth | Compression vs JPEG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPEG | ✅ yes (lossy) | ❌ no | ❌ no | 8‑bit | baseline |
| WebP | ✅ yes | ✅ yes | ✅ yes | 24‑bit | 25–35% smaller |
| AVIF | ✅ yes | ✅ yes | ✅ yes | high (10‑12 bit) | 50%+ smaller |
| PNG | ❌ no (lossless) | ✅ yes | 🟡 APNG only | 24/48‑bit | ~2× bigger than JPEG |
| GIF | 🟡 256 colours | ✅ yes | ✅ yes | 8‑bit | much bigger / worse |
| HEIC | ✅ yes (HEVC) | ❌ no (mostly) | ✅ yes | high | ~50% smaller than JPEG |
| TIFF | ✅/❌ both | ✅ yes | ✅ yes | high | variable, uncompressed options |
Each Format, Explained
JPEG (JPG)
The web’s original photo format. Lossy with strong compression, supports 8‑bit colour (16.7 M colours). No transparency, no animation. Still the universal safe choice for photos when you must support everything.
WebP
Google’s modern format (2010). Supports lossy and lossless, transparency, and animation. At quality 80 it’s typically 25–35% smaller than a JPEG of equal perceived quality, and it can carry a full alpha channel. Supported in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, and modern Safari (since 14).
AVIF
The cutting edge (based on the AV1 video codec). Smallest files of all — often 50%+ smaller than JPEG at quality 80 — and supports HDR, 10/12‑bit colour, transparency, and animation. The downside is browser support is still catching up (Firefox 93+, Chrome 85+, Safari 16.4+), and encoding is slower.
PNG
Lossless and universally supported. Comes in 8‑bit (256 colours, tiny) and 24/48‑bit (true colour, with optional 8/16‑bit alpha). PNG is the right call for logos, screenshots, text‑heavy graphics, and any image needing exact pixels or transparency — but a 24‑bit PNG of a photo can be 5–10× the size of a JPEG.
GIF
Effectively obsolete for stills — 256 colours only — but still the only universally animated image format. Keep using it for simple animations; use animated WebP/AVIF for new work.
HEIC
Apple’s default photo format (HEVC/H.265 inside). Roughly half the size of a JPEG at equal quality, but it needs an HEIC‑aware OS/browser to open, and not all tools support it. Convert to JPEG/WebP if you hit compatibility walls.
TIFF
The “keep everything” format — lossless options, layers, high bit‑depth, CMYK. Files are huge; TIFF is for editing masters and print workflows, not the web. You usually convert a TIFF to a web format before publishing.
File‑Size Benchmarks (the numbers)
Representative results for a 1920×1080 photo (quality 80 where applicable). Numbers vary by image, but the ratios hold:
| Format | Typical size (approx.) | vs JPEG |
|---|---|---|
| JPEG (q80) | ~180 KB | baseline 1× |
| WebP (lossy) | ~125 KB | ≈1.4× smaller |
| WebP (lossless) | ~920 KB | 5× bigger |
| AVIF (q60) | ~90 KB | ≈2× smaller |
| PNG‑24 | ~1.1 MB | ≈6× bigger |
| HEIC | ~165 KB | ≈ same as JPEG |
| TIFF (uncompressed) | ~6.2 MB | ≈35× bigger |
When to Use Which: The Decision Table
| You’re publishing… | Pick this |
|---|---|
| A photograph on a webpage | WebP (fallback JPEG) |
| A logo or icon with transparency | PNG, or WebP if you control the audience |
| Text‑heavy screenshot or graph | PNG (lossless, no halos) |
| Smallest possible photo for mobile | AVIF (fallback WebP/JPEG) |
| A simple animated clip | GIF for universal support, animated WebP if OK |
| An Apple‑device photo | HEIC → convert to JPEG/WebP for sharing |
| A print‑ready master | TIFF or high‑quality JPEG (300 DPI) |
Convert my images to WebP/PNG/JPEG →
How to Convert Safely (No Upload)
Not every “free” converter deserves your photos. Many upload your image to a server — a real risk for branded or sensitive content. The Bulk Image Converter on this site is different: it runs entirely in your browser, so your files never leave your computer.
Bonus: once your image is in the right format, an AI upscaler can make it bigger without the quality loss that a plain resize would add — see the how‑to upscale guide and the 4K upscaling guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WebP the same quality as JPEG?
Visually, yes — at quality 80, WebP and JPEG look identical to most eyes, but WebP is 25–35% smaller. The difference becomes obvious on bandwidth‑constrained mobile connections.
Is AVIF safe to use on a website?
Yes, with a fallback. Use the <picture> element:
<source type="image/avif" srcset="x.avif"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="x.webp">
<img src="x.jpg">. Browsers pick the first they support; older ones fall back to JPEG.
When should I keep PNG instead of converting to WebP?
When lossless output matters (diagrams, screenshots with text, archival) or when you can’t control the audience’s browser — PNG opens everywhere, guaranteed.
Should I convert my iPhone HEIC photos to JPEG?
Only if you need to share outside the Apple ecosystem. Within it, HEIC saves ~50% space at equal quality; outside, JPEG or WebP is the safe, compatible choice.
Wrap‑Up: The One Rule
If you take away one rule: WebP for the web, PNG for graphics that need exact pixels or transparency, JPEG for maximum compatibility, AVIF when you can afford the encoding cost and want the smallest files. Convert with a browser‑local tool so your images never touch a stranger’s server, and upscale afterwards if you need them bigger.
Convert my images to WebP/PNG/JPEG →
No upload (runs in browser) · No watermark · No sign‑up · Unlimited
Need a specific format for printing? Read how to upscale for print. Questions? Discord.