Compare PNG, JPG, WebP, and AVIF on compression, transparency, animation, and browser support — a framework for choosing the right format.
PNG vs JPG vs WebP vs AVIF: The Complete Guide
Four formats cover almost all web imagery: JPG and PNG, the universal legacy pair, and WebP and AVIF, the modern replacements. JPG suits photographs, PNG suits graphics, WebP replaces both with broad support, and AVIF compresses smallest where support allows. This guide compares all four and gives a decision framework for choosing per image.
For the format at the centre of this site, see What is WebP?. To convert between them, use JPG to WebP and PNG to WebP.
Which image format should you use on the web?
Use WebP as the default, with AVIF layered above it for maximum compression and JPG or PNG as the fallback. WebP replaces both JPG and PNG with smaller files and near-universal support. The modern stack serves AVIF, then WebP, then a legacy fallback, via the <picture> element.
The per-format summary: JPG for compatibility outside the browser, PNG only where a tool requires it, WebP as the web default, AVIF for the smallest payloads.
How do the four formats compare?
The four differ on compression, transparency, animation, and browser support. JPG and PNG are universal but older and larger. WebP and AVIF are smaller and more capable, with WebP ahead on support and AVIF ahead on compression.
| Attribute | JPG | PNG | WebP | AVIF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | 1992 | 1996 | 2010 | 2019 |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossless | Lossy + lossless | Lossy + lossless |
| Transparency | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Animation | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Browser support | ~100% | ~100% | ~97% | ~95% |
| Best for | Universal photos | Graphics needing tools | Web default | Smallest payloads |
When should you use JPG?
Use JPG when an image must work everywhere outside the browser. Every email client, marketplace, office tool, and legacy device handles JPG. It is single-frame and has no transparency, but its universal compatibility is unmatched. On the web it is the fallback, not the first choice.
The full head-to-head is in WebP vs JPG. For photographs delivered to a browser, WebP is smaller at equal quality.
When should you use PNG?
Use PNG when a downstream tool specifically requires it, or for lossless graphics in a non-WebP pipeline. PNG offers lossless compression and full transparency, but produces larger files than WebP lossless for the same content. On the web, WebP lossless replaces it.
See WebP vs PNG. WebP lossless is ~26% smaller while matching PNG's transparency precision.
When should you use WebP?
Use WebP as the default web image format. It compresses photographs 25–34% smaller than JPG and graphics ~26% smaller than PNG, supports transparency and animation, and renders in ~97% of browsers. One format replaces JPG, PNG, and GIF for web delivery.
WebP is the reliable choice for almost every web image today. The complete case is in What is WebP?.
When should you use AVIF?
Use AVIF when payload size is the top priority and slightly lower browser support is acceptable. AVIF compresses roughly 20–30% smaller than WebP and supports HDR and wide colour, at the cost of slower encoding and ~95% support. Serve it above WebP in a <picture> chain.
The trade-offs are detailed in WebP vs AVIF and Is AVIF Replacing WebP?.
What about JPEG XL and HEIC?
JPEG XL and HEIC are capable formats that browser support keeps off the open web. JPEG XL was removed from Chrome and ships by default only in Safari. HEIC is Apple's capture format with effectively no browser support. Neither is a web-delivery option today.
Compare them at WebP vs JPEG XL and WebP vs HEIC.
How do you serve multiple formats with a fallback?
Use the HTML <picture> element to offer each format in preference order, falling back to JPG or PNG. The browser picks the first format it supports. This serves AVIF to the newest browsers, WebP to most, and a legacy format to the rest — from one declarative block.
<picture>
<source type="image/avif" srcset="/img/photo.avif" />
<source type="image/webp" srcset="/img/photo.webp" />
<img src="/img/photo.jpg" alt="Description" width="1200" height="675" />
</picture>
The full pattern is in How to Serve WebP Images in HTML Using the picture Element.
Where to go from here
- What is WebP? A Complete Guide to the WebP Image Format
- WebP vs JPG, WebP vs PNG, WebP vs AVIF
- Is AVIF Replacing WebP? Future of Web Image Formats
- How to Serve WebP Images in HTML Using the picture Element
- Convert images: JPG to WebP, PNG to WebP
The short version: default to WebP, add AVIF for maximum savings, and keep JPG or PNG as the fallback. The <picture> element lets you ship all of them and let each browser take the best it supports.