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JPG vs PNG vs SVG vs WebP vs AVIF vs BMP vs TIFF: A Deep Dive into Image Formats

Images are everywhere — websites, applications, documents, interfaces, and print media. But when you save or export an image, you’re often presented with a dozen different file formats: JPG, PNG, SVG, WebP, AVIF, BMP, TIFF… the list goes on. Which should you use and why?

In this blog, we’ll demystify the most commonly used image formats by exploring their internal structures, compression techniques, transparency support, scalability, browser compatibility, and real-world use cases.

📷 1. JPEG (.jpg / .jpeg)

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) is one of the most commonly used image formats for photographs.

  • Compression: Lossy
  • Transparency: No
  • Animation: No
  • Color depth: 24-bit RGB
  • Best used for: Photographs, complex gradients, real-world scenes

How JPEG Works

JPEG uses lossy compression via Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT). The image is first converted from RGB to YCbCr color space, then divided into 8×8 blocks. Each block is transformed into frequency components. Less visually important data (like high-frequency noise) is discarded, reducing size drastically.

JPEG balances file size and visual quality very well, but it’s irreversible — once compressed, original detail is lost.

When to Use

Use JPEG when:

  • The image contains many colors and gradients (like landscapes or portraits)
  • File size matters more than perfect accuracy
  • Transparency is not needed

🧊 2. PNG (.png)

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is a lossless raster image format ideal for transparency and sharp detail.

  • Compression: Lossless (DEFLATE algorithm)
  • Transparency: Yes (supports full alpha channel)
  • Animation: No (but APNG variant exists)
  • Color depth: Up to 48-bit RGB + 16-bit alpha
  • Best used for: UI elements, logos, diagrams, screenshots, images with transparency

How PNG Works

PNG compresses data without losing any visual detail. Instead of removing image information, it finds patterns in pixel data and encodes them more efficiently using DEFLATE. It also supports multiple filters that help improve compression for different types of content (e.g. gradients vs. flat colors).

It supports full transparency (not just binary on/off), making it ideal for overlay images.

When to Use

Use PNG when:

  • Transparency is needed
  • The image includes sharp edges, flat colors, or text
  • You need perfect pixel accuracy

🧩 3. SVG (.svg)

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is a markup-based image format used for vector graphics.

  • Compression: N/A (text-based)
  • Transparency: Yes
  • Animation: Yes (via CSS/JS)
  • Scalability: Infinite (resolution-independent)
  • Best used for: Icons, logos, illustrations, UI graphics

How SVG Works

SVG files describe shapes, paths, and colors using XML syntax. Since they don’t store pixels but rather mathematical instructions, they can scale to any size without losing quality. This makes SVG the preferred format for responsive web graphics.

They can be styled with CSS, manipulated with JavaScript, and animated without needing to re-render pixels.

When to Use

Use SVG when:

  • The image needs to scale cleanly across all screen sizes
  • You want to manipulate the graphic with CSS/JS
  • The image consists of lines, curves, text, or geometric shapes

🖼️ 4. WebP (.webp)

WebP is a modern image format developed by Google to offer superior compression for both lossy and lossless images.

  • Compression: Both lossy and lossless
  • Transparency: Yes (in both modes)
  • Animation: Yes
  • Best used for: Web images, thumbnails, UI backgrounds

How WebP Works

WebP uses VP8/VP8L encoding (originally from video codecs). In lossy mode, it uses predictive coding and block-based compression similar to JPEG but more efficient. In lossless mode, it uses techniques like color cache, entropy coding, and dictionary compression.

WebP supports features like:

  • Alpha transparency
  • Metadata
  • Animation

When to Use

Use WebP when:

  • You’re optimizing images for the web
  • You want smaller sizes than PNG or JPEG without big sacrifices
  • You’re targeting modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari 14+)

🌀 5. AVIF (.avif)

AVIF (AV1 Image File Format) is a cutting-edge image format based on the AV1 video codec.

  • Compression: Both lossy and lossless
  • Transparency: Yes
  • Animation: Yes
  • Color depth: 8-bit to 12-bit
  • Best used for: Next-gen web images with maximum compression

How AVIF Works

AVIF builds on AV1 intra-frame compression. It offers incredibly high compression ratios without compromising image quality, often outperforming WebP and JPEG by 30–50%.

It supports HDR, wide color gamut, transparency, and metadata, making it ideal for future-proof web delivery. AVIF files are small, but encoding can be slower.

When to Use

Use AVIF when:

  • You need the best compression for large image sets
  • Bandwidth or load time is critical
  • Your users use modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari 16+)

🗃️ 6. BMP (.bmp)

BMP (Bitmap) is an uncompressed raster image format originally from Windows systems.

  • Compression: None (or basic RLE)
  • Transparency: No
  • Animation: No
  • Best used for: Legacy systems, raw image storage, internal OS assets

How BMP Works

A BMP stores every pixel’s color explicitly, leading to large file sizes but fast decoding. It’s a simple format, with a header + pixel data, and sometimes a palette. It’s rarely used online due to size inefficiency.

When to Use

Use BMP when:

  • File size doesn’t matter
  • You need raw pixel access
  • You’re working in legacy environments or system-level code

🧾 7. TIFF (.tiff)

TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) is a flexible format used for high-quality imaging.

  • Compression: Optional (lossless like LZW, or none)
  • Transparency: Yes (via alpha channels)
  • Animation: No
  • Best used for: Archival, scanning, publishing, photography

How TIFF Works

TIFF supports multiple pages (multi-layer images), various compression types, and extensive metadata. It’s the go-to format in industries like medical imaging, professional photography, and print publishing due to its fidelity and flexibility.

TIFF can contain:

  • Multiple color channels (including CMYK)
  • Layers
  • Metadata
  • Multiple images per file

When to Use

Use TIFF when:

  • Quality is non-negotiable (scanning, archival)
  • You’re printing professionally
  • Working with complex image metadata

🧩 Choosing the Right Format

Choosing the right format depends on:

  • Do you need transparency?
  • Is file size critical?
  • Will the image scale?
  • Do you need vector manipulation?
  • Who’s the audience (modern browser vs legacy OS)?
  • Do you care about printing or pixel precision?

There’s no single “best” format — only the best format for your use case.

🧳 Real-World Scenarios

Scenario 1: A blog hero image
→ Use JPEG or WebP

Scenario 2: A logo on a navigation bar
→ Use SVG

Scenario 3: Product image with transparent background
→ Use PNG or WebP (lossless)

Scenario 4: Printable scanned document
→ Use TIFF

Scenario 5: Animated sticker for a messaging app
→ Use WebP (animated) or APNG

Scenario 6: Next-gen responsive gallery
→ Use AVIF with JPEG/PNG fallback

✅ Conclusion

Every image format is a tool — and the best developers and designers know when and how to use them. JPG and PNG are widely supported and battle-tested. SVG is unbeatable for scalable graphics. WebP and AVIF are the new champions of web performance. BMP and TIFF remain relevant for special use cases.

By understanding how each format works, you can make better decisions that improve load times, preserve image quality, and deliver faster, more beautiful applications.

🔗 Further Reading

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