Guide
PNG vs JPG vs WebP vs AVIF: Which Format Should You Use?
A plain-English guide to PNG, JPG, WebP, and AVIF — what each is best at, and which to pick for photos, graphics, and the web.
Four formats, four jobs. Picking the right one can cut a file's size by 80% or keep a logo's edges crisp — but the names give you no clue what they're good for. Here's the short, practical version, with no jargon.
JPG — the Default for Photos
JPG (or JPEG) uses lossy compression: it throws away detail your eye won't miss to make files small. That makes it ideal for photographs, where smooth gradients hide the loss. It's the most universally supported format on earth. The downside: it can't store transparency, and re-saving repeatedly degrades the image. Use JPG for photos you're emailing, posting, or storing in bulk.
PNG — for Graphics and Transparency
PNG is lossless — every pixel is preserved exactly — and it supports transparent backgrounds. That makes it the right pick for logos, icons, screenshots, and anything with sharp text or hard edges. The trade-off is size: a PNG photo can be several times larger than the JPG equivalent. Use PNG when crispness or transparency matters more than file size.
WebP — the Modern Web All-Rounder
WebP, made by Google, does both lossy and lossless compression and supports transparency — essentially JPG's and PNG's strengths in one format, at noticeably smaller sizes. It's supported by every current browser. It's an excellent default for images on a website. The only reason not to use it is compatibility with very old software that predates it.
AVIF — the Smallest Files Available Today
AVIF is the newest of the four and the most efficient — it routinely produces files smaller than WebP at the same visual quality, sometimes dramatically so. Browser support is now broad (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge). It's the best choice when bandwidth or storage is the priority. The catch is that some older apps and devices still can't open it, so it's a web format more than a universal one.
Quick Rule of Thumb
- Photo you will share or store: JPG (or AVIF/WebP if everything that opens it is modern)
- Logo, icon, screenshot, or anything transparent: PNG
- Images on your own website: WebP or AVIF
- Smallest possible file, modern targets only: AVIF