Complete Guide
Image Formats
Everything you need to know about PNG, JPG, WebP, SVG and AVIF: differences, when to use each one, and how to convert online for free.
5 formats explained
14 in-depth articles
1 free tool
The main formats
.PNG
Lossless images
Ideal for logos, icons and images with a transparent background.
.JPG
Photos and complex images
Best for photographs. Great compression with visual quality.
.WebP
The modern web standard
Smaller than PNG and JPG at equivalent quality. Supported in all browsers.
.SVG
Vector graphics
Scales with no quality loss. Perfect for logos and icons.
.AVIF
The future of compression
Better compression than WebP. Still gaining adoption, but growing support.
Quick comparison
| Format | Transparency | Compression | Vector | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PNG | ✓ Yes | Light (lossless) | ✗ No | Logos, screenshots, icons |
| JPG | ✗ No | High (lossy) | ✗ No | Photos, banners, thumbnails |
| WebP | ✓ Yes | High (lossy/lossless) | ✗ No | General web use, replaces PNG and JPG |
| SVG | ✓ Yes | Excellent (text) | ✓ Yes | Logos, icons, illustrations |
| AVIF | ✓ Yes | Maximum | ✗ No | High-performance web |
Related tool
Format comparisons
Guides by format
Frequently asked questions about image formats
Which image format should I use for my website?
For photos, use WebP (better compression than JPG). For logos and icons with a transparent background, use SVG or PNG. WebP is currently the best format for general use on the web, since it produces smaller files with no perceptible visual loss.
PNG or JPG: which is better for printing?
For printing, PNG is superior because it has no lossy compression — it keeps every detail of the image. JPG compresses the image and can create visible artifacts in high-quality prints.
How do I convert PNG to WebP for free?
Use the ImageTools Image Converter. Upload your PNG, select WebP as the output format, and click convert. The process runs in your own browser, with no files uploaded to servers.
Can SVG be used anywhere?
SVG works perfectly in modern web browsers and most design editors. However, social media platforms generally do not accept SVG for profile picture or post uploads — in that case, export to PNG first.