JPG vs PNG vs WEBP vs AVIF: Choosing the Right Image Format
Four formats cover almost every image on the web. They differ in how they compress, whether they support transparency and how widely they are supported.
JPG: photos everywhere
JPG uses lossy compression tuned for photographs. It is supported by every device and program. It has no transparency, and repeated re-saving gradually lowers quality.
PNG: sharp graphics and transparency
PNG is lossless, so screenshots, logos, text and line art stay crisp, and it supports full transparency. Photos saved as PNG are far larger than the same photo as JPG.
WEBP: the practical modern choice
WEBP typically produces files 25 to 35 percent smaller than JPG at similar quality, supports transparency and animation, and works in all current browsers. It is the easiest upgrade for a website.
AVIF: smallest files, newest support
AVIF can be around half the size of JPG with excellent quality, and supports HDR and transparency. Encoding is slower and a few older apps cannot open it. Current browsers support it, so it works well with a JPG or WEBP fallback.
How to choose
- Photo for email or print: JPG.
- Logo, icon, screenshot or anything with transparency: PNG (or WEBP for the web).
- Website images: WEBP, with AVIF if you want to go further.
- Archival master you will edit again: PNG or TIFF, not JPG.
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Frequently asked questions
Is WEBP better than JPG?
For the web, usually yes: smaller files at similar quality. For printing or sending to people with older software, JPG is safer.
Can I convert back from WEBP or AVIF?
Yes. Converting to JPG or PNG works with a click, although quality already lost to compression cannot be restored.