Image Formats Explained — JPG, PNG, WebP, AVIF, GIF, SVG

JPEG — The Universal Standard

JPEG (1992) is the most common image format globally. It uses lossy compression that exploits the human visual system's lower sensitivity to color detail versus brightness. At quality 80, JPEG produces files 5-10x smaller than uncompressed images with virtually no perceptible quality loss for photographs.

Use JPEG for: Photographs, complex gradient images, web images requiring maximum compatibility. Avoid JPEG for: Images with text or sharp lines, images requiring transparency, images you will edit repeatedly (quality degrades with each re-save).

PNG — Lossless Precision

PNG (1996) uses lossless deflate compression — no image data is ever discarded. PNG supports full alpha channel transparency. PNG files are larger than JPEG for photographs but correctly smaller for graphics with few colors and sharp edges like logos and screenshots.

Use PNG for: Logos, screenshots, text-heavy graphics, any image requiring transparency, images that will be edited multiple times. Avoid PNG for: Photographs and complex images (JPEG or WebP are dramatically smaller).

WebP — The Modern Upgrade

WebP (Google, 2010) supports lossy compression (25-35% smaller than JPEG), lossless compression (26% smaller than PNG), full alpha transparency, and animation. Browser support is approximately 96% globally.

Use WebP for: All web images. It replaces both JPEG and PNG for web use. Avoid WebP for: Email attachments, print workflows, applications requiring JPEG or PNG specifically.

AVIF — The Most Efficient Format

AVIF (2019) achieves 50% smaller files than JPEG and 20% smaller than WebP at equivalent quality. Supports HDR, wide color gamut, and transparency. Browser support approximately 90-93%.

Use AVIF for: Web images served to modern browsers, with WebP/JPEG fallback via the picture element. Avoid AVIF for: Maximum app compatibility, email, older systems.

GIF — The Animation Legacy

GIF (1987) supports animation but is limited to 256 colors per frame. GIF remains universally compatible but produces large files compared to modern animation formats.

Use GIF for: Short animations requiring universal compatibility, reactions, simple social media animations. Avoid GIF for: Photographs (terrible quality), long animations (massive files), any use case where WebP animation or short video works.

SVG — Scalable Vectors

SVG is not a raster format — it describes images mathematically as shapes and paths. SVGs scale to any size without quality loss. SVGs are also editable XML files.

Use SVG for: Logos, icons, illustrations, any image needing to look sharp at multiple sizes. Avoid SVG for: Photographs and complex photographic images.

Quick Decision Guide

Photograph for web? WebP (with JPEG fallback). Logo or icon? SVG or PNG. Animation? WebP animation or short MP4 (not GIF). Screenshot? PNG. Maximum compatibility? JPEG. Professional archival? TIFF or RAW.