Image Format Comparison Guide 2026: JPEG, PNG, WebP, AVIF, HEIC
The Complete Image Format Guide for 2026
Choosing the right image format can significantly impact your website's performance, your storage usage, and the quality of your images. Here's everything you need to know about each major format.
Quick Comparison
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*GIF uses lossless compression but is limited to 256 colors, which effectively makes it lossy for photographs.
JPEG — The Universal Standard
JPEG has been the dominant image format for over 30 years. It uses lossy compression, meaning it discards some image data to achieve smaller file sizes.
Pros: Universal support, small file sizes, great for photos
Cons: No transparency, quality degrades with re-saving, visible artifacts at low quality
Best quality setting: 80-90% for web, 95% for print
PNG — Lossless Precision
PNG was created as a patent-free alternative to GIF. It uses lossless compression, preserving every pixel exactly.
Pros: Lossless quality, full transparency, great for graphics
Cons: Large file sizes for photos, no animation support
Best for: Screenshots, logos, graphics with text, anything needing transparency
WebP — The Modern Standard
Google created WebP in 2010 to be a better alternative to both JPEG and PNG. It supports lossy and lossless compression, transparency, and animation.
Pros: 25-35% smaller than JPEG/PNG, transparency, animation, excellent quality
Cons: Slightly more CPU-intensive to decode
Best for: Website images, web performance optimization, replacing both JPG and PNG
AVIF — The Next Generation
AVIF is based on the AV1 video codec and offers the best compression available today. It can produce files 50% smaller than WebP.
Pros: Best compression ratio, excellent quality, transparency, HDR support
Cons: Slower encoding, newer browser support, some Safari limitations
Best for: Cutting-edge web optimization, photographers wanting maximum quality at minimum size
HEIC — Apple's Choice
HEIC uses the HEVC codec and is Apple's default format for iPhone photos since iOS 11.
Pros: Excellent compression, 16-bit color, transparency, live photos
Cons: Very limited support outside Apple ecosystem
Best for: iPhone storage, Apple-only workflows
GIF — Animations Made Simple
GIF is the oldest format here, dating back to 1987. Its main advantage today is animation support.
Pros: Universal animation support, simple to create
Cons: Limited to 256 colors, large file sizes for animations
Best for: Simple animations, memes, reaction images
TIFF — Professional Quality
TIFF is the standard in professional photography and publishing.
Pros: Lossless, high bit depth, layer support, industry standard
Cons: Very large file sizes, no browser support
Best for: Print production, professional photography, archival
Format Decision Tree
File Size Comparison
For a typical 12MP photograph:
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The Bottom Line
For most people in 2026: