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JPEG vs PNG vs WebP vs AVIF: Which Image Format Should You Use?

A plain-language comparison of the four most common image formats — when to use each, and when to convert.

Every image format makes different tradeoffs between file size, quality, and compatibility. Pick the wrong one and your website loads slowly, your email bounces, or your logo looks blurry.

Here's a practical guide to choosing — and converting — between JPEG, PNG, WebP, and AVIF.

JPEG: The Universal Default

Best for: Photographs, complex images, maximum compatibility

JPEG uses lossy compression — it discards data your eyes won't miss. That's why a 5MB photo becomes 200KB without looking much different.

  • Works everywhere — every browser, email client, and printer
  • No transparency support
  • Quality degrades if you edit and re-save repeatedly

Use JPEG when: you need a photo to work on any device, or you're emailing images to someone who might use old software.

PNG: Lossless and Transparent

Best for: Screenshots, logos, graphics with text, images needing transparency

PNG preserves every pixel exactly. File sizes are larger than JPEG for photos, but for graphics with sharp edges and text, PNG is often smaller and always sharper.

  • Supports transparency (alpha channel)
  • Lossless — no quality loss on re-save
  • Poor choice for large photographs

Use PNG when: you need a transparent background, crisp text, or pixel-perfect screenshots.

WebP: The Modern Web Standard

Best for: Websites, apps, anywhere you control the display environment

Google developed WebP to replace JPEG and PNG on the web. It supports both lossy and lossless compression, plus transparency and animation.

  • 25–35% smaller than JPEG at the same quality
  • Supported by all modern browsers
  • Not ideal for email attachments (some clients still reject it)

Use WebP when: you're optimizing images for a website or app and don't need legacy email compatibility.

AVIF: The Newest and Smallest

Best for: Cutting-edge web performance where browser support is acceptable

AVIF (AV1 Image File Format) achieves even better compression than WebP — often 50% smaller than JPEG. Encoding is slower, and support is still growing.

  • Best compression of the four formats
  • Supports HDR and wide color gamut
  • Slower to encode; not supported in older browsers

Use AVIF when: you're building for modern browsers and want the smallest possible files.

Quick Comparison

| Format | Photos | Graphics | Transparency | Email-safe | File size |

|--------|--------|----------|--------------|------------|-----------|

| JPEG | Excellent | Poor | No | Yes | Medium |

| PNG | OK | Excellent | Yes | Yes | Large |

| WebP | Excellent | Good | Yes | Sometimes | Small |

| AVIF | Excellent | Good | Yes | Rarely | Smallest |

When to Convert

  • HEIC from iPhone → JPEG for Windows and email
  • PNG screenshot → WebP for your website
  • Large JPEG → AVIF for modern web apps
  • WebP → JPEG when emailing to someone with an old client

Try It Yourself

Convert between any of these formats with our free Image Converter — it accepts JPEG, PNG, WebP, AVIF, GIF, and HEIC as input, and outputs JPEG, PNG, WebP, or AVIF. Batch convert, download as ZIP. All processing happens in your browser.

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