Image formats explained
Understand the differences between JPG, PNG, WebP, BMP, HEIC and other image formats so you can always pick the right one.
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Image format comparison
| Format | Compression | Transparency | Best use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPG | Lossy | No | Photos, web images where file size matters |
| PNG | Lossless | Yes | Icons, logos, screenshots |
| WebP | Both | Yes | Modern web images — smaller than JPG/PNG |
| BMP | None | No | Legacy Windows format, very large files |
| HEIC | Lossy | No | iPhone/Apple photos — not universally supported |
| GIF | Lossless | Yes (1-bit) | Simple animations, low-color graphics |
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When to use each format
JPG — for photographs and realistic images where you don't need transparency and want the smallest file size.
PNG — when you need transparency (logos, icons) or pixel-perfect quality (screenshots, UI mockups).
WebP — for all images on modern websites. ~25–35% smaller than JPG at equivalent quality and supports transparency. All modern browsers support it.
HEIC → JPG — when you want to share iPhone photos on Windows, Android, or the web.
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