Choosing the wrong image format is one of the most common web performance mistakes. JPG, PNG, WebP, AVIF, GIF, and SVG all have specific strengths. Here is how to choose the right format for every use case.
Web Image Format Comparison
| Format | Best For | Transparency | Animation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPG | Photographs, gradients | No | No |
| PNG | Graphics, logos, text | Yes | No |
| WebP | Everything | Yes | Yes |
| AVIF | High quality photos | Yes | Yes |
| GIF | Simple animations | Limited | Yes |
| SVG | Icons, logos, vectors | Yes | Yes (CSS) |
Format Decision Tree
- Is it a logo or icon? → SVG (scales to any size) or PNG (for raster compatibility)
- Is it a photograph? → WebP first, JPG as fallback
- Does it need transparency? → WebP or PNG
- Is it an animation? → WebP animated or MP4 video (much smaller than GIF)
- Is it a screenshot or graphic with text? → PNG or WebP
The Case for WebP as Default
WebP is now supported by all major browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari iOS 14+, Safari macOS 11+). It handles photographs and graphics with transparency in one format, at 25–35% smaller file sizes than JPG and PNG. For new website projects in 2025, WebP should be your default format for almost everything.
Converting to the Right Format
Use imgresizr.com to convert any image to the optimal format for web — JPG, PNG, WebP, or AVIF. The convert tool supports all common input formats and produces correctly optimised output.
Choose and convert to the right web image format for free at imgresizr.com — instant format conversion for any use case.