Image File Formats
Choose the right format for web, print, and different use cases.
Web Graphics
SVG
Scalable, small files
Photos
JPEG / WebP
Lossy compression
Transparency
PNG / SVG
Alpha channel
PDF / EPS
High quality
Vector Formats
Mathematical formulas that scale infinitely without quality loss.
Raster Formats
Pixel grids with fixed resolution. Best for photos and complex imagery.
| Format | Type | Transparency | Animation | Compression | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SVG | Vector | ✓ | ✓ (SMIL/CSS) | Text (gzip) | Icons, logos, UI |
| PNG | Raster | ✓ | ✗ | Lossless | Screenshots, UI elements |
| JPEG | Raster | ✗ | ✗ | Lossy | Photos |
| WebP | Raster | ✓ | ✓ | Both | Modern web (all purposes) |
| GIF | Raster | 1-bit only | ✓ | Lossless | Simple animations |
| Both | ✓ | ✗ | Various | Print, documents | |
| EPS | Vector | Limited | ✗ | — | Print, legacy systems |
| AVIF | Raster | ✓ | ✓ | Both | Next-gen web |
Format Selection by Use Case
🌐 Web Development
Icons & Logos: SVG (scalable, styleable with CSS)
Photos: WebP with JPEG fallback
Screenshots: PNG or WebP (lossless)
Animations: CSS animations, Lottie, or WebP
🖨️ Print Design
Logos: PDF or EPS (vector)
Photos: TIFF or high-quality JPEG
Final output: PDF/X (press-ready)
Working files: Native format (AI, INDD)
📱 App Development
iOS icons: PNG at multiple resolutions
Android icons: Vector drawable or WebP
UI elements: SVG or PDF (scalable)
Photos: WebP or HEIC
📧 Email & Social
Email images: JPEG or PNG (wide support)
Social media: JPEG for photos, PNG for graphics
Avoid: SVG (poor email support)
Animations: GIF or MP4
Why SVG for the Web?
Scalability
Perfect at any size—from favicon to billboard. No blurry edges on retina displays.
File Size
Often smaller than equivalent PNGs, especially for simple graphics. Gzip compresses well.
Interactivity
Style with CSS, animate with JavaScript, manipulate with DOM APIs.