HTML HTML Image Formats Compared
JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF, SVG or BMP? Picking the right format is half the battle for fast, sharp images. Here is the no-nonsense comparison, plus a built-in converter so you can switch formats in seconds, right in your browser.
The quick comparison
| Format | Full Name | File Size | Transparency | Animation | Scalability | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPG | Joint Photographic Experts Group | Small (lossy) | x | x | x | j |
| PNG | Portable Network Graphics | Larger (lossless) | j | x | x | j |
| GIF | Graphics Interchange Format | Small (lossy, limited colors) | j | j | x | j |
| SVG | Scalable Vector Graphics | Very small (vector) | j | x | j | j |
| BMP | Bitmap | Very large (lossless) | x | x | x | 🦕 |
| WebP | Web Picture Format | Smaller (lossy or lossless) | j | j | x | 🚀 |
See them in the wild
Drag the corner of any image below to resize it and watch how each format holds up.
Best for photographs and images with complex color variations and gradients.
Best for images needing transparency, logos, and icons.
Best for simple animations and low-color graphics.
Best for icons, logos, diagrams and illustrations requiring scalability.
Rarely used on the web due to large file sizes, limited browser support and lack of compression.
Best for web images requiring high quality with smaller file sizes.
Which format should you pick?
Photos
Reach for WebP first, with JPEG as the safe fallback. Both crush file size on photographic content.
Logos and icons
Use SVG when you have the vector, or PNG for crisp edges and transparency at a fixed size.
Animation
Animated WebP beats GIF on size and quality. Keep GIF only when you need maximum compatibility.
Screenshots
PNG keeps text and UI razor sharp. If the file gets heavy, try WebP lossless.
How to use the converter
- Drop in an image. Drag a file onto the box or browse for one.
- Choose a target format. WebP for the smallest size, PNG for lossless, JPEG for compatibility.
- Tune the quality. Lower means smaller. For WebP and JPEG, 0.8 to 0.9 looks great.
- Convert and download. Preview the result, check the new size, and save it.
Good to know
- Converting to JPEG flattens transparency. Transparent areas become white, since JPEG has no alpha channel.
- GIF output is not supported here. Browsers cannot re-encode animated GIFs on a canvas, so stick to PNG, JPEG and WebP.
- Want it smaller too? Send the result through the Image Optimizer to squeeze out extra kilobytes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best image format for the web?
WebP is the best default for most images. It is usually 25 to 35 percent smaller than JPEG at the same quality and supports transparency and animation. Keep JPEG for maximum compatibility and PNG for lossless transparency.
JPG or PNG, which should I use?
JPG for photographs where small file size matters. PNG for logos, icons, screenshots and anything that needs sharp edges or transparency.
Can I convert between formats here?
Yes. Upload an image and convert it to PNG, JPEG or WebP right in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server, so it is fast and private.
Is WebP safe to use now?
Yes. Every current major browser supports WebP. For very old browsers you can offer a JPEG or PNG fallback using the picture element.
Further reading: the MDN image file type guide, Wikipedia on image file formats, and WebP browser support on Can I Use.
Found your format? Now make the file as small as it can be.
Open the Image Optimizer→