JPG, PNG, WebP, AVIF — Which Image Format Should You Use?
A plain-English guide to the formats that matter, when to reach for each, and how to shrink files without wrecking quality.
The format you export decides how sharp your image looks and how fast your page loads. Here's the short version.
JPG
Best for photographs. Small files, no transparency. Use it for hero images and photo galleries where a little compression is invisible.
PNG
Lossless with transparency. Reach for it with logos, icons, screenshots, and anything with crisp edges or a see-through background — not for large photos, where files balloon.
WebP
The modern default. Roughly 25–35% smaller than JPG at the same quality, with transparency support. Every current browser reads it. If you're unsure, export WebP.
AVIF
The newest and smallest, with excellent quality at low file sizes. Support is now broad but not universal, so pair it with a WebP or JPG fallback for older clients.
A simple rule of thumb
- Photo on the web: WebP (AVIF if you can add a fallback)
- Logo, icon, transparency: PNG
- Maximum compatibility: JPG
You can convert and compress any of these in the free tools — no upload, everything runs in your browser.