JPG vs PNG vs WEBP vs AVIF: Which Image Format Should You Use?
A plain-English comparison of the four formats that matter in 2026.
Format choice is a trade-off between quality, size and compatibility. This guide breaks down the four formats you'll actually meet in 2026 and when each one wins.
The 60-second verdict
| Format | Transparency | Compression | Best use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPG | No | Lossy, universal | Photos anywhere |
| PNG | Yes | Lossless | Logos, screenshots, text |
| WEBP | Yes | Lossy + lossless | Modern web images |
| AVIF | Yes | State-of-the-art | Smallest files, new browsers |
JPG — the reliable workhorse
JPG has been the web's default photo format for 30 years. It compresses photos well and every device, app and printer reads it. Its weakness: no transparency, and blocky artifacts at very low quality.
PNG — crisp where it counts
PNG is lossless, which makes it perfect for flat graphics: logos, icons, screenshots and anything with text. The catch is file size — a PNG photo is usually enormous compared to JPG.
WEBP — the practical upgrade
WEBP gives you JPG-level photo compression with PNG-style transparency support, and every modern browser supports it. It's the safest 'best of both worlds' pick for websites.
AVIF — the size king
AVIF offers the best compression of the four — often 50% smaller than JPG at equal quality — but encoder support varies by browser. It's ideal for web delivery where you can also serve a JPG fallback.
Convert between formats
Use the converter below to switch any image to the format you need — including HEIC from iPhones.
Which should you use?
- Photos on a website → WEBP (or JPG fallback).
- Logos & screenshots → PNG.
- Email attachments → JPG (smallest compatible).
- Maximum web performance → AVIF with JPG fallback.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Convert an image format now
JPG, PNG, WEBP, AVIF — and HEIC input. Free and private.
Amar Lodhi
Founder, Vizo Tool
Written by Amar Lodhi, who builds fast, private, browser-based tools that save people time.
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