JPG vs PNG vs WebP vs AVIF: Which Image Format to Use
JPG vs PNG vs WebP vs AVIF: four formats, four different strengths. This guide compares them side by side and shows which one to pick for each job.
Use our free Convert Image tool to do this in just a few clicks. It runs in your browser, so your files stay private.
Key takeaways
- JPG is the universal choice for photos.
- PNG is lossless and keeps transparency, but files can be large.
- WebP is a strong all-rounder for websites.
- AVIF can be even smaller, but is slower to create and not yet supported everywhere outside browsers.
The four formats at a glance
| Compare | JPG | PNG | WebP | AVIF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy | Lossless | Lossy or lossless | Lossy or lossless |
| Transparency | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Animation | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Typical file size | Medium | Large for photos | Small | Often smallest |
| Compatibility | Everywhere | Everywhere | All current browsers | Current browsers, fewer apps |
JPG: the safe default for photos
JPG has been the standard for photos for decades. It is small enough for most uses and opens on practically every device, which makes it the best choice for sharing, email and print.
PNG: sharp graphics and transparency
PNG is lossless, so logos, text and screenshots stay crisp, and it supports transparent backgrounds. The price is size: photos saved as PNG are much larger than JPG.
WebP: the all-rounder for the web
WebP covers photos, graphics, transparency and animation in one format, with smaller files than JPG and PNG. It is a strong default for website images. Read what WebP is for details.
AVIF: the newest option
AVIF is based on the AV1 video codec and often produces even smaller files than WebP at similar quality. It takes longer to create and is supported by current browsers, but fewer desktop programs open it. AllWebP accepts AVIF files as input, and you can convert them with Convert Image.
Which format should you choose?
| You need | Choose |
|---|---|
| A photo for sharing or print | JPG |
| A logo or screenshot with sharp edges | PNG |
| The best balance for a website | WebP |
| The smallest possible web image, and you can handle encoding | AVIF |
| Several images in one document | PDF, see Image to PDF |
Which format for which website image?
| Image on your site | Format to consider |
|---|---|
| Photo in an article | WebP, with JPG as the safe fallback |
| Logo with a transparent background | PNG or WebP |
| Screenshot with small text | PNG, or WebP at high quality |
| Large hero photo | WebP or AVIF |
| Simple animation | WebP or video |
A practical format workflow
- Keep every original as a JPG or PNG master.
- Resize to the size you need.
- Convert website copies to WebP at about 80% quality.
- Check file sizes and look at the images on a real page.
Lossy and lossless in plain words
Lossy formats throw away detail the eye barely notices to save space. Lossless formats keep everything and rebuild the exact same pixels. JPG is lossy, PNG is lossless, and WebP and AVIF can do either, which is why they can replace several older formats.
Animation and transparency
| Format | Transparency | Animation |
|---|---|---|
| JPG | No | No |
| PNG | Yes | Not in standard PNG |
| WebP | Yes | Yes |
| AVIF | Yes | Yes |
Support and software
JPG and PNG are understood almost everywhere. WebP is supported by all current major browsers and by a growing list of apps. AVIF works in current browsers too, but fewer desktop programs and online services accept it, so it is safest for images shown on your own website.
Encoding effort
AVIF files can be very small, but creating them takes more processing time than the other formats. For a small site, the extra work may not be worth the extra saving. WebP is a good middle ground.
Our recommendation
For most websites: keep JPG or PNG masters, publish WebP, and consider AVIF only if you already have a workflow for it. Read WebP vs PNG and WebP vs JPG for the details of each pairing.
Use cases by site type
| Site type | Format approach |
|---|---|
| Blog or news site | WebP photos, JPG fallback if needed |
| Online shop | WebP product photos, PNG or WebP for logos |
| Portfolio | High-quality WebP or JPG, check colours carefully |
| Documentation site | PNG or WebP screenshots |
Moving from JPG and PNG to WebP
- Back up your original images.
- Convert the largest and most visited images first.
- Upload and replace them, one page type at a time.
- Test the pages and compare the speed.
Looking ahead
Formats keep evolving, and software support grows over time. WebP is already a safe everyday choice, and AVIF is becoming more common. Keep your masters in a widely supported format so you can convert to whatever comes next.
Mistakes to avoid
- Saving photos as PNG.
- Choosing a format only because it is new.
- Deleting the originals after converting.
- Forgetting to check how the images look on a phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which image format is best for websites?
WebP is a strong default. AVIF can be smaller still, and JPG remains a safe fallback.
Is PNG better than JPG?
PNG is better for graphics and transparency. JPG is better for photos.
Can I convert between these formats?
Yes. The Convert Image tool handles JPG, PNG and WebP, and accepts AVIF as input.
Does AVIF replace WebP?
Not yet. Both are useful, and WebP has broader support in everyday software.
Keep reading
What is WebP? Learn what the WebP image format is, how it compares with JPG and PNG, where it works and when to convert it. A simple guide.
WebP vs JPG: Which Image Format Is Better?WebP vs JPG compared: file size, quality, transparency, compatibility and when to use each. Learn which format is better for your images.
How to Reduce Image File Size Without Ruining QualityLearn how to reduce image file size with five simple steps: resize, pick the right format, compress, convert to WebP and measure the result.