Image format guide

Choose the right image format.

File extensions can look technical, but the choice is usually simple. Start with what you need the image to do, then choose the format that fits.

The short answer

Choose by what you need.

These recommendations cover most everyday situations. The detailed explanations below can help when the choice matters more.

Share almost anywhereJPEG Keep transparency or exact pixelsPNG Get a smaller website imageWebP Prioritize the smallest modern fileAVIF

JPEG

Also called JPG

JPEG

Most compatible

What it is

A widely supported format that makes photographs much smaller by removing some image information people are unlikely to notice.

Best for

Photos, email attachments, social media, online forms, and sharing with almost anyone.

Keep in mind

JPEG does not support transparent backgrounds. Repeatedly saving and editing a JPEG can gradually reduce its quality.

Our recommendation: Choose JPEG when compatibility matters most or when you are unsure what the recipient can open.

PNG

Portable Network Graphics

PNG

Lossless + transparency

What it is

A lossless format that preserves exact pixel information and can keep transparent backgrounds.

Best for

Logos, graphics, interface elements, screenshots, diagrams, text-heavy images, and transparent artwork.

Keep in mind

PNG files can be much larger than JPEG, WebP, or AVIF when used for ordinary photographs.

Our recommendation: Choose PNG when exact pixels or transparency matter more than getting the smallest file.

WebP

Modern web format

WebP

Best web balance

What it is

A modern format designed for the web. It can produce smaller files than JPEG while supporting both lossy and lossless images, including transparency.

Best for

Websites, blogs, online stores, portfolios, and modern apps where faster loading matters.

Keep in mind

Modern browsers support WebP well, but some older editing programs, business systems, and upload forms may still prefer JPEG or PNG.

Our recommendation: Choose WebP for a strong balance of small size, good quality, transparency support, and modern compatibility.

AVIF

AV1 Image File Format

AVIF

Smallest modern files

What it is

A newer, highly efficient format that can preserve strong visual quality at very small file sizes.

Best for

Performance-focused websites, image-heavy pages, and projects where every kilobyte matters.

Keep in mind

AVIF can take longer to compress and is less dependable in older software and workflows than JPEG, PNG, or WebP.

Our recommendation: Choose AVIF when the smallest modern web file is the priority and you know your destination supports it.

HEIC

Common on iPhone

HEIC

Input only here

What it is

An efficient format commonly used by iPhones and other Apple devices to store high-quality photos without using as much space as a traditional JPEG.

Best for

Keeping photos inside the Apple ecosystem and storing original iPhone images efficiently.

Keep in mind

HEIC is not accepted by every website, Windows program, or sharing workflow. ShrinkPicture accepts HEIC files as input but does not currently export new HEIC files.

Our recommendation: Upload HEIC to ShrinkPicture and choose Auto or JPEG when you need a version that is easier to share and open.

At a glance

A quick format comparison.

Format	File size	Transparency	Compatibility	Best fit
JPEG	Small	No	Excellent	Photos and sharing
PNG	Often larger	Yes	Excellent	Graphics and screenshots
WebP	Very small	Yes	Very good	Modern websites
AVIF	Usually smallest	Yes	Good, but newer	Maximum web efficiency
HEIC	Very small	Possible	Limited outside Apple	iPhone photo storage

Still not sure?

Auto is the safest place to start.

ShrinkPicture's Auto option keeps familiar formats when practical and converts HEIC photos to JPEG for easier compatibility. You can always choose a specific format when your use case calls for it.

Compress photos