The best image format for the web

The fastest websites do not just compress images, they also use the right format for each one. Here is a simple decision guide for the formats you will actually use on the web.

Photographs

For photos, use WebP as your default and AVIF for your most important images. Both beat JPEG on size. Keep JPEG only when you need to support legacy software.

Logos, icons, and flat graphics

For simple shapes and text, SVG is ideal because it scales infinitely and stays tiny. When SVG is not an option, use PNG for crisp edges and transparency, or WebP for a smaller transparent file.

Screenshots and UI

Screenshots often contain text and sharp edges, where PNG or lossless WebP look cleaner than JPEG. If the screenshot is mostly photographic, WebP at high quality works well.

Images that need transparency

Use PNG, WebP, or AVIF. Avoid JPEG, which cannot store transparency and will add a solid background.

A simple rule of thumb

• Photo on a modern site: WebP, or AVIF for hero images.
• Logo or icon: SVG, otherwise PNG or WebP.
• Screenshot with text: PNG or lossless WebP.
• Maximum compatibility needed: JPEG or PNG.

Once you have picked a format, compress it. You can convert and compress to any of these formats in CompressEasy directly in your browser.