Comparison table: JPG vs PNG vs WebP vs AVIF
| Format |
Best for |
Transparency |
Compression |
Typical file size |
| JPG |
Photos, gradients |
No |
Lossy |
Medium |
| PNG |
Logos, text, UI |
Yes |
Lossless |
Large |
| WebP |
Web photos and UI |
Yes |
Lossy or lossless |
Small |
| AVIF |
High end web, galleries |
Yes |
Lossy or lossless |
Smallest |
Real-world use case: marketing landing page
A landing page hero photo might be 2 MB as a JPG. Convert it to WebP or AVIF and compress slightly. The file can drop to 300 KB without visible change, which helps mobile visitors and improves page speed metrics.
Compatibility and fallbacks
Most modern browsers support WebP and AVIF, but some older clients may not. A safe strategy is to use WebP for most assets and keep a JPG fallback when needed. For logos with transparency, use PNG or WebP lossless.
Export tips that avoid quality loss
Always export at the exact display size. Use high quality settings for photos and preview the result. Avoid converting a compressed JPG into another lossy format multiple times. Each round can introduce artifacts. When possible, keep a high quality original and only compress once for the final export.
Compatibility in the real world
Most modern browsers support WebP and AVIF, but you may still have edge cases such as older devices or embedded webviews. If you need maximum compatibility, JPG and PNG remain the safest. A practical approach is to store a high quality original and export multiple versions: WebP or AVIF for modern browsers and a JPG fallback for older ones.
Always compare at the same pixel dimensions and view at 100 percent zoom. Pay attention to areas with gradients, skin tones, and fine textures. Those areas reveal banding and compression artifacts most quickly. Also compare file size and not just visual quality. The smallest file is not always the best choice if it introduces obvious artifacts.
Delivery vs storage decisions
For delivery, prioritize smaller files and faster loading. For storage, prioritize preserving quality. This is why many teams keep a high quality master (PNG or high quality JPG) and export a smaller WebP or AVIF for the web.
A simple decision tree
If the image is a photo with no transparency, start with WebP or JPG. If the image needs transparency or has sharp text, use PNG or WebP lossless. If the asset is large and you need maximum performance, test AVIF and compare. This quick decision tree handles most web cases without overthinking.
If you are unsure, export two versions and compare file size and clarity. The right choice is the one that looks good at the smallest size.
Workflow tips for teams and clients
If multiple people touch image assets, consistency matters. Create a small set of shared presets for size and quality, then document when to use them. This keeps a blog post, landing page, and product page visually consistent. It also reduces revision cycles because everyone follows the same playbook.
Avoid quality loss from repeated edits
Every time you re-export a lossy format, you lose a little detail. The best practice is to keep a master file and only export once for delivery. If you need a new size or format, go back to the master. This keeps compression artifacts from stacking up.
Accessibility and context still matter
Even perfect image quality is less valuable if the context is unclear. Use descriptive filenames and alt text for web images. Make sure important text is not baked into the image if it needs to be searchable or readable by screen readers. The technical optimizations work best when paired with clear context.
Detailed workflow example
A practical way to apply this topic is to work from a simple example. Start with a high quality original, decide the final destination, and then make one clean export. If the image is for a website, determine the largest display size, resize to that size, and pick the right format. If the image is for social, use the platform dimensions and keep enough margin for cropping. This approach is consistent and avoids the trial-and-error loop that often leads to quality loss.
Troubleshooting and quality review
If the result looks worse than expected, step back and review the order of operations. Check for accidental upscaling, verify the aspect ratio, and compare the original and final at the same zoom level. If artifacts appear, reduce compression or switch formats. If the image looks soft, confirm the target size and apply only light sharpening. Most issues are caused by one of these three steps, so fixing them usually brings the image back to a clean result.
Delivery checklist
- Confirm the output dimensions match the display size.
- Verify format and quality settings are correct for the content.
- Preview on at least one real device.
- Save a master file for future edits.
- Keep filenames descriptive and versioned.
This checklist is short, but it keeps your workflow reliable and makes results easy to reproduce.
Summary
JPG is a photo standard, PNG is best for transparency and sharp graphics, WebP is a modern all-rounder, and AVIF is the smallest for advanced use cases. The best format depends on the image and where it will be used.
